states. “This facility is where we are building the infrastructure for charging our electric buses. We got the electric company to put in a new transformer so right now charging is on permanent power at the new facility.” Bartholomew continues, “We have ordered our second order of battery electric buses for a fixed route, the large buses and we are getting six of them which are scheduled to be delivered in late 2025.” This will increase Roadrunner Transit’s current electric fleet to 11 once they have arrived and officially put into service. Bartholomew summarizes that of the 20 buses of the fixed route fleet over half will be battery-electric buses by the summer. With this anticipated electric expansion, Roadrunner Transit will potentially have the ability to look at battery electric buses for its paratransit fleet. The new facility, Bartholomew points out, will offer six large maintenance bays and will include improved facilities for its demand response staff which are currently working in small quarters. “Our drivers for the first time will have large lockers so they can change their clothes there and there will also be restrooms with showers as well as better amenities for our drivers with better rooms for conducting meetings and training.” Bartholomew also draws attention to the facility’s parts shop which will allow for work on the fleet to be carried out without coordinating with the city. “We won’t be beholden to the City’s fleet department for ordering parts and special needs for our buses. We are very excited about this.” “We really are evolving into a standalone city department and are very pleased about the opportunities that this will bring,” he offers. RUNNING THE ELECTRIC FLEET ON ROUTE With all the good news that the new facility brings, Bartholomew does point out that expanding the road towards increased electrification of its fleet, Bartholomew relays that the passenger experience will be further enhanced. “We have been building a new maintenance and operations facility on the west side of town. So we will be moving from our old facility that dates back to 1986 into our new facility by late February,” he 8 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 12, ISSUE 02
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