Zero emission passenger train begins service in San Bernardino

San Bernardino is once again apart of history.

On September 13, 2025, America’s first hydrogen-powered, zero-emission passenger train began regular service. The groundbreaking inaugural departure left the station at 10:32 a.m. on Saturday, heading eastbound from the Metrolink San Bernardino Downtown Station.

The Stadler-built hydrogen fuel cell–battery hybrid train is made of two electric passenger cars, able to accommodate 108 seated passengers, and can reach speeds up to 81 mph. ZEMU service will run the nine-mile Arrow Corridor between San Bernardino and Redlands University, completing up to 16 trips per day with water vapor as its only emission.

This makes it the nation’s first passenger train of its kind to be compliant with Federal Railroad Administration standards, and epitomizes SBCTA’s legacy of innovation in sustainable transportation.

“ZEMU is proof of our commitment to improving regional air quality, embracing innovation, and expanding clean-air transit options,” said SBCTA Board President Rick Denison.

ZEMU’s arrival is the culmination of more than a decade of planning, engineering, and testing. Manufactured in Switzerland, ZEMU journeyed across the globe from Europe through safety testing in Colorado to reach San Bernardino in mid-2024.