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Long Beach, CA – Today, Long Beach Transit (LBT) marked a historic milestone with the official dedication of its first-ever Battery-electric commuter bus, connecting Long Beach to UCLA’s campus and Westwood Village.

Over the years, LBT has continually embraced innovation, including introducing its first battery-electric bus in 1974 and compressed natural gas buses in 2012. Today, 100 percent of LBT’s fleet operates on alternative fuels, showcasing its commitment to sustainability.

In 2020, LBT pledged to transition to a 100 percent Zero-emission fleet by 2040. Today’s addition of electric commuter coaches further exemplifies LBT’s forward-thinking leadership. In the same year, LBT was awarded $7.22M in state funds from the Low Carbon Transit Operations Program and the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund to procure five Battery-electric coaches. The coaches were built by RIDE, USA.

This service epitomizes LBT’s mission of “connecting communities and moving people to make everyday life better,” said Kenneth A. McDonald, LBT’s President and CEO. “The partnerships behind this commuter route are invaluable, and we are grateful for the support from our UCLA, Long Beach Airport, state and local partners.”

Special guests at today’s event included Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson, Councilmembers Megan Kerr and Dr. Suley Saro, Long Beach Airport Director Cynthia Guidry, Chief Deputy at California State Transportation Agency Chad Edison, LBT’s Board Vice Chair David Sutton and Executive Director of UCLA Events and Transportation Tony Lucas.

The commuter coaches will begin service on Monday, Jan. 27, 2025, for the UCLA/Westwood Commuter Express service. This route is intended to reduce the stress of traveling on the congested 405 freeway for UCLA students, faculty and staff members and visitors. The service has two pick up locations in Long Beach, at the Long Beach Airport and Willow Station where free parking is offered for commuters, and three drop-off locations in the UCLA/Westwood area.

For more information, about the UCLA/Westwood Commuter Express visit ridelbt.com/ucla.

About Long Beach Transit

Long Beach Transit is dedicated to connecting communities and moving people, making everyday life better by providing transportation services in Long Beach, Lakewood, Signal Hill, as well as Artesia, Bellflower, Carson, Cerritos, Compton, Downey, Hawaiian Gardens, Los Alamitos, Norwalk, Paramount and Seal Beach. For more information, visit www.ridelbt.com.