"This government is committed to developing the hydrogen highway as a viable transportation option," said Falcon. "This important first step demonstrates our leadership in improving our transportation infrastructure to meet the needs of the future."

"Developing hydrogen buses in British Columbia will reinforce our position as a leader in the development of alternative energy projects," said Neufeld.

"Hydrogen buses will improve air quality, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and position British Columbia to realize our goal of leading the world in sustainable environmental management," said Penner.

BC Transit will issue a Request for Proposals today that calls for the development of a prototype hydrogen fuel cell bus for commercial use. The ultimate goal of the project is to demonstrate for the first time the integration of hydrogen fuel cell buses into the regular operational service of an urban transit system, allowing monitoring of operations, maintenance and fuelling over a sustained period.

Hydrogen fuel cell-powered vehicles produce no smog-creating emissions, and no greenhouse gas emissions, and can be twice as efficient as internal combustion engines. Life cycle costs for fuel cell buses once they become commercially available are expected to be lower than existing internal combustion engine technology. These buses will reinforce British Columbia's commitment to hydrogen and fuel cell development as a zero-emission transportation solution.

BC Transit is the provincial Crown Corporation charged with the delivery of public transit throughout British Columbia outside Greater Vancouver. BC Transit has been at the forefront of Canadian and North American urban transit systems in identifying and adopting innovative technology and alternate fuels to maximize efficiency and reduce harmful emissions and greenhouse gases.