Business View Magazine - January 2024

Mike Bartholomew, City Transit Director of Las Cruces, discusses the intricate workings of RoadRUNNER Transit, illuminating its journey since its inception in 1986. He elucidates, “We operate eight fixed routes year-round, utilizing a peak service fleet of 13 buses. This includes two routes specifically designed for the campus, operational only during academic semesters.” RoadRUNNER’s commitment to accessibility is further exemplified through its paratransit service, Vamonos, which caters to individuals with disabilities and seniors aged sixty and over. Bartholomew highlights the scale of this operation, noting the availability of up to 15 Vamonos vehicles during peak times. The fleet’s composition blends twenty fixed-route buses and twenty-one paratransit vehicles. In a leap towards sustainability, Bartholomew shares, “We recently implemented our first five 35-foot, full battery electric buses, earmarked to replace five of our older models in need of replacement.” The operational hours of RoadRUNNER are extensive, spanning from 6:30 AM to 10:30 PM on weekdays and 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM on Saturdays, with no services on Sundays. A notable milestone in its service is adopting a zero-fare policy, marking its first anniversary, underscoring its commitment to making public transport more accessible to all. NAVIGATING POST-COVID CHALLENGES AND INNOVATIONS In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, public transpor tation systems worldwide faced unprecedented challenges. RoadRUNNER Transit was no exception, as it navigated through these tumultuous times, rethinking strategies to enhance ridership and improve services. Richard Hanway, City Transit Manager, reflects on the impact of COVID-19 on RoadRUNNER’s operations. “Before COVID, we had extended our service hours till 10:30 PM on weekdays, and we observed a significant rise in ridership,” he recalls. However, the pandemic brought an abrupt halt to this growth. Hanway reveals a strategic shift to a zero-fare service during the pandemic’s decline, initially as a temporary measure. This initiative, driven by the city 241 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 11, ISSUE 01 ROADRUNNER TRANSI T