The RFTA Glenwood Springs Maintenance Facility (GMF) expansion has been RFTA’s number one priority to allow RFTA to safely and reliably provide existing service levels and to be able to serve our member jurisdiction’s future growth. The GMF expansion project was included within the list of capital projects and service enhancements approved by voters in RFTA Destination 2040.

The GMF expansion project will renovate and expand its current maintenance facility into a new, centrally located operations, maintenance and administrative center. The GMF expansion will address RFTA’s current operational deficiencies and accommodate forecasted growth in population, employment, and ridership demand in RFTA’s 3-county service area. The GMF expansion will provide sufficient bus storage, operations, maintenance and administrative capacity and capability to support RFTA’s long-term vison of creating greater community connectivity within our region.

RFTA’s Glenwood Springs Maintenance Facility (GMF) was constructed in 2002 and designed as a satellite facility to store and maintain 34 buses with a small footprint and a minimum number of support staff. Ridership has grown by 60% since 2002, and, according to RFTA’s ridership forecasting tools and travel patterns studies, it is estimated to increase by at least 25% over the next 20 years, under the most conservative scenarios.

Today, RFTA operates approximately 44 buses from the facility on a regular basis, exceeding the facility’s capacity by 30%. To meet peak morning commute demands over the next 20 years, as many as 20 buses will need to be deadheaded 45 miles each way from RFTA’s Aspen Maintenance Facility (AMF), if storage, maintenance and operations capacity at the GMF is not increased.

Because buses are parked outside during the winter, they must be idled in the early morning hours, an average of about three hours, to ensure that they are operating properly and that Bus Operators and passengers will be warm and comfortable. This idling decreases the efficiency of fuel utilization and contributes to wear and tear of the buses. With the introduction of Battery Electric Buses and Fuel Cell Electric Buses to the RFTA fleet, a climate controlled environment is required to maintain optimum battery storage capacity and efficiency.

The GMF expansion has been planned to occur over 10 phases of construction. Phase 1 has been completed and included lowering and grading of site and providing a temporary bus parking lot to accommodate future phases of construction.

Phase 2, includes grading, excavation, fleet maintenance building renovation & expansion and purchase of Glenwood Springs Municipal Operations Center. Phase 2 is currently under construction.

Phases 3 and 7, includes site grading and excavation, expanded operations center, new 30-Bus Storage Building, pre & post-trip bus inspection facilities, parts and equipment warehouse, multi-fuel fueling and bus wash facility. Phases 3 and 7 are scheduled to begin construction October 2021 pending Board appropriations.

Phases 4 and 5, includes grading, paving, demolition, retaining walls, additional 30-bus storage building. Phases 4 and 5 are scheduled to begin construction October 2021 pending Board appropriations.

FUTURE PHASES

Phases 6, 8-10 include facilities for administrative and housing expansion. The Destination 2040 Plan includes $10 million for the replacement of employee housing and Carbondale office space. However, it has not yet been determined whether this will occur at the Carbondale Maintenance Facility site, the GMF, or some other location.