R-Palm Springs, is expected to be on hand when the SunLine Transit Agency unveils its newest bus powered by hydrogen fuel cells at 11 a.m. Friday at the Westin Mission Hills Resort and Spa, 71-333 Dinah Shore Drive, Rancho Mirage.

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The unveiling will be followed by SunLine's third annual State of Public Transit lunch, with a keynote speech by Vincent Valdes, associate administrator for research and innovation for the Federal Transit Administration. Valdes is expected to speak on current transportation research and its possible impact on area transit systems like SunLine.

The new bus features the latest fuel cell technology, including lighter hydrogen storage tanks, a smaller fuel cell management system and improved battery technology.

The new bus represents the sixth generation of fuel cell buses since SunLine put its first one on the road in 2005.

Agency officials have yet to announce the routes the new bus will serve.

The event is open to the public.