LONG BEACH, Calif., July 30, 2026 (KOREWIRE) — The California Transit Training Consortium will launch a statewide initiative to develop six Fuel Cell Electric Bus training courses for transit technicians, operators, supervisors and other transportation professionals.
The CTTC Board of Directors approved agreements supporting the initiative, which is principally funded by Golden Empire Transit District and the Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District, known as Santa Cruz METRO.
CTTC released a request for proposal on July 27 seeking qualified curriculum development professionals or organizations to help design and deliver the six-course series. The project is expected to be completed over approximately 18 months.
“Fuel cell electric bus technology is becoming an increasingly important part of California’s public transportation system, and workforce preparation must advance alongside that technology,” said Norman Tuitavuki, chairperson of the CTTC Board of Directors. “This initiative will give transit professionals access to consistent, high-quality training developed around the systems and safety practices they will encounter in the field.”
The project will develop the following courses:
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Hydrogen Fundamentals, a two- to four-hour online course
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FCEB Maintenance Overview, a two- to four-hour online course
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FCEB Corrective Maintenance, an eight-hour instructor-led course
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Operating Fuel Cell Buses, an eight-hour instructor-led course
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Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams, a two- to four-hour online course
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FCEB Preventive Maintenance, an eight-hour instructor-led course
Hydrogen Fueling Safety, the first course in CTTC’s planned FCEB curriculum series, has already been developed and is not included in the forthcoming procurement.
Golden Empire Transit District has also funded the development of a specialized heating, ventilation and air-conditioning course addressing HVAC systems used in hydrogen-powered heavy-duty vehicles.
“Investing in the workforce is essential to making a zero-emission fleet successful,” said Chris James, CEO of Golden Empire Transit District. “Transit agencies need technicians and operators who understand both the technology and the safety requirements behind it. This investment will help create training resources that can serve our employees while also strengthening workforce readiness throughout California.”
The curriculum will be developed in online asynchronous and in-person instructor-led formats. It will follow the CTTC Curriculum Development Lifecycle and will be informed by California Community College Title 5 curriculum requirements, American Public Transportation Association recommended practices and industry-validated technical competencies.
CTTC’s FCEB Task Force will provide technical guidance during development. The task force includes representatives from transit agencies, educational institutions, original equipment manufacturers, funding partners and other industry organizations.
“California transit agencies are deploying increasingly sophisticated zero-emission vehicles, and that transition requires a long-term commitment to workforce development,” said Margo Ross, Chief Operations Officer of Santa Cruz METRO. “By supporting a curriculum that will be shared statewide, we are helping agencies prepare their employees to safely operate, inspect and maintain fuel cell electric buses.”
The six new courses will expand CTTC’s existing technical training portfolio, which includes instruction in high-voltage systems, low-voltage electrical diagnostics, multiplexing, vehicle communication networks and other advanced transit technologies.
After development and approval, the FCEB courses are expected to be available through CTTC’s member learning portal, participating California community colleges and transit agency training programs.
Request for proposals
CTTC released the RFP on July 27, 2026. The anticipated procurement schedule is:
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Questions from proposers due July 30, 2026, at noon Pacific time
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CTTC responses to proposer questions will issue July 31, 2026
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Proposals due Aug. 7, 2026, at noon Pacific time
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Anticipated contract start date of Aug. 15, 2026
Experienced curriculum developers, instructional designers, hydrogen technology specialists, transit training providers and qualified project teams are encouraged to register for procurement notifications.
Interested parties may submit an intent-to-bid notification at: https://www.cttc.com/resources/bids
Submitting the notification form does not constitute a proposal, prequalification or commitment by the respondent or CTTC. Formal requirements, evaluation criteria, deliverables and submission instructions will be provided in the RFP.
About the California Transit Training Consortium
The California Transit Training Consortium is a California-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that advances workforce development for the public transportation industry. Through technical training, leadership development and partnerships with transit agencies, colleges, universities and private industry, CTTC helps transportation professionals prepare for emerging technologies and evolving operational requirements.
CTTC serves 42 public transit agencies and a growing network of educational and industry partners throughout California.
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Media contact
Norman Tuitavuki
Chairperson, Board of Directors
California Transit Training Consortium
ntuitavuki@mst.org
