BWI putting 20 New Flyer buses into service
Baltimore/Washington International (BWI) Thurgood Marshall Airport put the first of 20 new clean diesel buses into service on May 31. The New Flyer of America-made buses will transport customers between the airport’s passenger terminal, parking facilities and the BWI Rail Station.
BWI Marshall Airport explains that the rollout of the new buses is part of its plan to replace its entire bus fleet, which consists of 40 buses that have been in service since 2005. New Flyer says its current order is for 15 40-foot and five 60-foot Xcelsior buses. The 60-foot, articulated buses will provide an approximate 50 percent increase in passenger capacity compared to the smaller transit-style buses currently in service.
The new buses being introduced are part of a $13.5 million procurement approved by the Maryland Board of Public Works in August 2018. The board approved another contract in January 2019 for 20 additional parking shuttle buses. In 2017, the airport placed 20 new rental car shuttle buses into service.
“The new buses will provide an improved level of service for our travelers,” said Ricky Smith, executive director of BWI Marshall Airport. “We are working to modernize our bus fleet, which will benefit customers with added capacity and better amenities.”
In addition to what the airport describes as a “sleek, eye-catching design,” the amenities include USB charging ports, Wi-Fi, improved seating, luggage racks, three sets of wide doors and large windows all aimed at enhancing the customer experience.
“New Flyer is proud to have been chosen once again by BWI Marshall Airport with additional Xcelsior transit buses that will help move millions of passengers safely around BWI airport each year,” said Chris Stoddart, president, New Flyer. “New Flyer has delivered over 150 buses to airports across North America, with a focus on enhancing efficient, safe and reliable mobility in the nation’s busiest hubs. Supporting the Maryland Department of Transportation builds on this focus and continues to enhance the passenger experience at BWI Marshall Airport.”
Mischa Wanek-Libman | Group Editorial Director
Mischa Wanek-Libman is director of communications with Transdev North America. She has more than 20 years of experience working in the transportation industry covering construction projects, engineering challenges, transit and rail operations and best practices.
Wanek-Libman has held top editorial positions at freight rail and public transportation business-to-business publications including as editor-in-chief and editorial director of Mass Transit from 2018-2024. She has been recognized for editorial excellence through her individual work, as well as for collaborative content.
She is an active member of the American Public Transportation Association's Marketing and Communications Committee and served 14 years as a Board Observer on the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC) Board of Directors.
She is a graduate of Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and Mass Communication.
