The joint program with the San Mateo County Transit District will see three zero-emission buses operating on two routes in north San Jose and Milpitas beginning on Monday.

Rep. Mike Honda, D-San Jose, joined numerous local officials at today's ceremony introducing the hydrogen-powered buses.

"I am proud to support local projects like VTA's and SamTrans' joint effort. Federal funding to research environmentally advanced transportation projects, such as this ZEB program, will contribute to cleaner air and a healthier environment for everyone,'' Honda said.

The fuel cells powering the buses use an electrochemical process to convert hydrogen gas and oxygen from the air into electricity, heat and water. VTA Board member Dave Cortese, a San Jose City Councilman and mayoral candidate, said that the project would help educate the public about the practicality of alternative fuel sources.

"Local projects like our joint VTA and SamTrans project can serve to prove that truly clean alternative fuel solutions are not so far from reality,'' Cortese said.

The buses will begin running on VTA routes 45 and 47 on Monday.