The North County Transit District (NCTD) in Oceanside, California, marked the start of construction for a hydrogen fueling station to facilitate the shift of its BREEZE bus fleet to zero-emission operations. This initiative aligns with NCTD's goal to have a quarter of its fleet running on hydrogen fuel-cell electric buses by 2025 and the entire BREEZE fleet to be zero-emission by 2040. The project received financial support from the Federal Transit Administration through the Low- or NoEmission Vehicle grant program, aiding in the purchase of hydrogen fuel-cell electric buses and battery-electric buses. Additionally, funding facilitated the establishment of workforce training and an apprenticeship program in partnership with Palomar College. The endeavor, with a total cost of approximately $8 million, has received backing from Rep. Mike Levin and the California Energy Commission. Upon completion in summer 2025, the hydrogen fueling station will enable the integration of hydrogen buses into NCTD's service, enhancing air quality and service reliability in areas including Oceanside, Vista, Carlsbad, and more. NCTD's CEO emphasized the significance of the infrastructure for transitioning to zero-emission operations and expressed gratitude for the collaborative support received. The project is seen as a stepping stone towards a sustainable future, with plans to extend hydrogen-powered transport to the SPRINTER corridor and potentially establish a hydrogen-powered rail system, a pioneering move in the U.S.