ACE Express Coaches, part of All Aboard America Holdings (AAAHI), successfully recruited more than 50 employees as it ramps up services in Colorado. 

ACE added 16 new routes in September, 10 routes in October, and 16 in November after the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) procured 25 new MCI motorcoaches for the multi-phase expansion.

This brings the total routes on Bustang up to 66, with 11 round trips on each of the North, South, and West Lines during the week. Weekend service has expanded as well, with six new North Line and South Line routes on Saturday, Sunday, and holidays. 

The West Line service runs consistently with 22 routes daily to service I-70, up from eight routes just three months ago. 

Poised for Growth

With a dedicated, brand new training facility, Ace Express GM Shawn Davis said they are now positioned to deliver 100% contracted service growth before the end of the year for CDOT. 

“With our recent contract negotiations, we have doubled our revenue miles as part of our agreement with CDOT for Bustang services,” said Davis. “The expansion brings together years of planning and funding to reduce emissions and road congestion, making sure the services reflect the needs of the community, commuters, and the tourism market. “We know our expert operations and logistics planning, as well as our critical communications during extreme weather events, ensure the safest and most reliable service possible.”

Davis referred to the mountainous region of operations, with snowy and challenging conditions impacting services.

“It takes a collaborative and specialized approach to plan local routes for maximum appeal, while also providing the skills and availability to pivot and adjust our mass transit services when we have adverse weather,” he said. “We have the resources, contingency plans, and team in place. We are ready to get people where they want to go safely, reliably, and as conveniently as possible.” 

Davis sat on the Expansion Plan Review Committee from January through July 2023 for the new services, advising stakeholders from an operational perspective, ensuring weather, route pairing, and network planning were cohesively integrated for optimized services.

Growing Intercity Bus Service

Bustang is an intercity bus service in the state of Colorado, which will celebrate its 10th anniversary of operations in 2025, servicing the community, commuters, and the tourism market. 

ACE Express has been the sole operator of Bustang services since its inception and recently renewed its contract through a competitive RFP process.

Graeme Legh, Chief Executive Officer, All Aboard America Holdings, said as part of the future planning to reduce emissions and assist in traffic decongestion, Bustang had committed to new buses, expanded services and new infrastructure.

“With our global experience in mass transit planning and sustainability, plus the power of local operating knowledge and experience, we are proud to work alongside the Colorado Department of Transportation to reach new milestones across fleet procurement, services, and decarbonization,” he said.