Good news travels fast. It’s only been three weeks since the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) announced the allocation of $31.7 million in new transit grants. The Roaring Fork Transportation Authority (RFTA) was granted nearly half of those funds, winning $15.5 million to add 10 new electric buses to its fleet. Valley residents have been celebrating this since it was announced, energized by the shift toward renewable transit.
The Sopris Sun spoke with RFTA’s public information officer, Jamie Tatsuno, to learn more about what it takes to receive grants and the logistics needed to support changing transit fleets. While riders interact most often with RFTA bus operators and think of the company as blue-hued high capacity vehicles, transit authorities are more than groups of hard-working, highly-skilled drivers. Behind the scenes are grant writers, analysts and many other office employees continually applying for additional funds and finding creative ways to address the needs reported by the bus operators. Says Tatsuno, “Robust staff makes a big difference.”
RFTA is the second largest transit agency in Colorado, and the largest rural agency in the U.S. It consolidated in 2000 after three decades of growing transportation needs in the Roaring Fork Valley. That unification brought together multiple bus systems in the Valley. The following year, RFTA absorbed the Roaring Fork Railroad Holding Authority and the Rio Grande Railroad corridor. The latter is best known as a recreational trail, the Plan B until it eventually serves its original purpose as a mass transit pathway.
RFTA has received multiple national recognitions for quality of service. Given about five decades of cumulative community transport, Tatsuno explains that “one of the main advantages RFTA has is the longevity and experience in providing services and operating transit.” CDOT has a consolidated capital call for projects it issues once per year, which goes out to all 60 transit authorities in the state. The U.S. Department of Transportation issues a similar call annually. RFTA applies to both every year given the constant need for improving and expanding services.
One of the most exciting aspects of the recent grants and the 10 new battery electric buses (BEBs) to be purchased is the expansion of electric services. RFTA’s current eight BEBs are used only on upvalley routes around the City of Aspen and occasionally to the Brush Creek Park and Ride lot. This restriction is not due to range, but rather was a feature of the first phase of fleet electrification. The 10 new buses, due to join the fleet in 2026, will be used on routes from Aspen all the way to Glenwood Springs.
Part of the fleet electrification process is increasing charging infrastructure and capacity. “We currently have four depot chargers for overnight charging,” Tatsuno explains. “Once the forthcoming Rubey Park bus charger is installed, RFTA aims to roll these out en route through the service area.” A grant received earlier in summer for the RFTA Glenwood Maintenance Facility will add zero-emission vehicle infrastructure that will support downvalley routes utilizing BEBs in addition to other expansions.
While battery charge duration is dependent on temperatures, battery range is not a concern for standard service times and operator shifts. RFTA’s current BEBs have regenerative braking, which extends the battery range by recharging the batteries whenever the bus decelerates. The new set of BEBs will have this feature as well. Since vehicle electrification is quickly evolving, Tatsuno predicts that the new buses will have even better range and efficiency.
On the maintenance side, more BEBs create an opportunity for RFTA mechanics to expand their skills and expertise. RFTA has a special team of mechanics for the eight BEBs currently in use. Electric vehicle mechanics need both auto and electrical technician backgrounds to service these vehicles.
That said, BEBs are more efficient. Other than the actual batteries, the vehicles require less maintenance. BEBs have considerably fewer moving parts. Manufacturers claim significant long-term savings thanks to reduced maintenance requirements. RFTA operators have found this to be true. Tatsuno laughs and shares, “The difference between the two maintenance garages is striking, because the electric garage is so clean and quiet.”
When the new buses enter the fleet in 2026, the main change riders can anticipate is increased comfort. BEBs are a quieter, smoother ride thanks to the elimination of internal combustion engines and additional drive-train components. The shift in the fleet will make minimal difference in terms of actual routes.
These new CDOT grants support RFTA staying aligned with the State of Colorado initiative to achieve zero emissions public transit by 2050. One might call the funds a spark to keep commuters moving forward.