On April 30, 2025, WTS-LA  hosted a compelling panel discussion titled “On the Road to Zero-Emissions with LA County’s Buses,” moderated by WSP's Cliff Henke. The event brought together transit leaders from across the region to share their agency’s progress, challenges, and vision for a cleaner, more sustainable future.

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Panelists included:

• Diana Chang, Chief Transportation Officer, City of Culver City
• Brian Lee, Chief of Transit, LADOT
• Amy Romero, Deputy Executive Officer, Bus Acquisition and ZEB Infrastructure Implementation, LA Metro

Agency Overviews: Ambitious Plans and Proven Progress

Each panelist began by outlining their agency’s current initiatives. Culver City’s comprehensive mobility plan positions the bus system as its backbone. With a goal of 12-minute headways on major arterials by 2045, the city is planning to triple its fleet and expand its zero-emission capabilities, including a hydrogen bus pilot.

LA Metro’s leadership in clean transit is evident, with the agency retiring its last diesel bus in 2011 and adopting a zero-emission strategy ahead of state mandates. With 145 buses on order and 95 already received, Metro has fully electrified the G Line and plans to do the same for the J Line by 2025.

LADOT’s community-focused DASH service provides first-/last-mile connections for 15 million riders annually. With 430 buses—160 of which are battery electric—LADOT is actively reimagining its services and electrifying its entire fleet.

Challenges and Opportunities: Funding, Facilities, and Flexibility

Transitioning to zero-emission fleets is not without hurdles. Facility constraints and limited funding, especially for smaller agencies, are significant challenges. Battery electric buses (BEBs) have shorter ranges than compressed natural gas (CNG) buses, requiring operational adjustments.

Limited range, especially on longer routes, emphasizes the need for en route charging infrastructure. The collapse of manufacturer Proterra and the high cost of electric upgrades have created additional strain. Staffing is also a concern, as overnight shifts are needed to manage charging logistics.

Collaboration: A Shared Path Forward

Despite these challenges, collaboration is key. From sharing en route charging infrastructure to jointly pursuing funding and standardizing procurement, agencies are finding strength in unity. The goal: a world-class, interconnected public transportation system.

Procurement and Infrastructure Sharing

Metro is preparing to procure 280 buses with flexible options to support local manufacturing and encourage standardization across agencies. LADOT noted the long lead times for bus procurement—up to four years from order to delivery. Both agencies are exploring ways to share infrastructure, such as using underutilized parking lots for bus layovers.

Looking Ahead: The 2028 Olympics and Beyond

Large-scale events like the 2028 Olympics present a unique opportunity to accelerate improvements. These events can serve as catalysts for long-term system upgrades.

Careers in Transit: Advice for the Next Generation

The panel closed with advice for those interested in joining the transit field. A growth mindset and operational knowledge are encouraged. Project management skills are valuable over formal sustainability degrees. Flexibility and adaptability are key in the evolving transit landscape.

During audience Q&A, panelists addressed the sustainability of hydrogen versus BEBs. While hydrogen offers range advantages, infrastructure costs remain high. All three agencies are considering hybrid fleets for resiliency. On decommissioning, agencies are holding onto older buses for the Olympics and suggested a regional storage solution as an opportunity for collaboration.

See more photos of the program HERE.