Advancing Clean Mobility: Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Bus Workforce Development for Transit Agencies

Hydrogen fuel cell electric buses (FCEBs) are rapidly transforming public transportation in the United States. However, while transit agencies are investing heavily in new zero-emission vehicles and fueling infrastructure, far less attention has been paid to the workforce needed to operate and maintain them. As agencies accelerate toward ambitious climate and fleet transition goals, they are also confronting a critical challenge: preparing workers for an entirely new set of technologies, safety requirements, and operational demands. This study addresses that gap by systematically identifying the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) required for FCEB vehicle operators and maintenance technicians, assessing current training programs, and investigating effective workforce recruitment and retention strategies. The research team conducted semi-structured qualitative interviews with 20 stakeholders across transit agencies, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), training organizations, and industry associations in California, Ohio, Illinois, and Washington. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis following Braun and Clarke's (2006) six-phase framework. Findings reveal that FCEB workforce readiness is not simply a training issue but a system-level challenge requiring transit agencies to develop new tri-disciplinary competencies spanning mechanical, electrical, and hydrogen chemical safety—a combination no single predecessor technology fully provides. Electrical fundamentals emerged as a universal prerequisite. Findings also identified structural training gaps, including the absence of a standardized national curriculum for FCEB and the misalignment between OEM training delivery and practical application. The study proposes curriculum frameworks for FCEB technician and operator training, alongside identifying workforce strategies centered on “grow-your-own” development (developing talent internally), apprenticeship models, and regional training consortia. The findings underscore that the success of the zero-emission transit transition depends not only on vehicles and infrastructure, but on people. The research concludes that coordinated policy interventions, including a national certification pathway, investment in regional training infrastructure, and stronger community college partnerships are essential to building a skilled, adaptable workforce capable of supporting the FCEB transit transition.