Articulating buses big help during Springfest weekend

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“The pre- to post-covid comparison is pretty much lock-and-step, and where the rubber’s going to meet the road is where we get to the next month and beyond.”

One way staff expect to improve the numbers this year is with a larger fleet of articulating, or “artic” buses.

Shearman and Transportation Operations Manager George Peake said several of the department’s six 60-foot artics were out carting passengers around during the festival weekend, which they said helped prevent crowding.

“One day during Springfest, we had 130 people at one time on the bus,” Peake said.

Another two arctic buses, which the Maryland Department of Transportation is donating, are set for delivery soon, with plans to have them maintained and on the road by early June.

“They need a little bit of work to get back up to street-worthy,” Shearman said.

The department is set to have a total 10-artic fleet, with the remaining two buses almost ready for purchase. Initially, staff thought they could obtain grants to cover the total cost of a little more than $1.6 million, but Shearman said the amount came up a little short.

However, they found some non-fare revenue within the department and received funds from decommissioning some old buses that should cover the nearly $17,200 shortfall.

“For next year, we’re going to attempt to increase the grant approval,” Shearman said. “So maybe we’re only on the hook for 10 percent of the increase instead of 100 percent of the increase.”

Peake also reported positive feedback from a full bus wrap that members of the Tourism Department put on one of the articulating buses. The display, which debuted last week, advertises the city’s new logo and tagline with bright, vibrant colors.

“It looks fantastic,” Peake said. “… Drivers who drove the bus … said everybody getting on the bus was going, ‘Wow, I’ve never seen this before.’”

Shearman said the ad contractor, who took over selling ads on buses and trams in the fall, has also sold other bus wraps, including one to Guido’s Burritos and another to a different Mexican restaurant.