In 2021 RIPTA purchased a fleet of New Flyer Xcelsior Charge XE40 electric busses which will provide service specifically for the R Line. The R-Line is RIPTA’s highest-ridership route which runs from Pawtucket/Central Falls Station to a bus turnaround facility at the Providence-Cranston City Line.  The turnaround facility is located at 1533 Broad St in Cranston, RI was the focus of the RIPTA Broad City Line Electric Bus In-Line Charging Station Project.  

This project included the design and construction of an In-Line Electric Bus Charging Facility consisting of (4) pantograph style charging stations, plus a utilities building which includes: restroom facilities, mechanical, electrical, security, plumbing and snow melt systems and equipment.  RIPTA’s plan called for all 4 of the bus charging stations to be fit onto the existing and compact turnaround facility located at 1533 Broad Street in Cranston, RI.  The turnaround path had to accommodate a central charging island large enough to accommodate a new service building, all charging equipment including bus charging spaces for 4 buses with enough room for continuous bus throughput and adequate turnaround room for the new  electric buses all within an existing parcel  located between God’s Family Church, and The Oakland Cemetery.  This parcel has been used as a bus turnaround and rest stop for gasoline and diesel busses since the 1930’s.

GM2 is provided detailed design, permitting, and construction documents as part of the Design/Build team.

• RIPTA’s R Line is now serviced by emissions free electric busses
• Environmental Benefits -No offsite soils disposal needed due to site design
• Environmental Justice – Project resulted in dramatic improvements to neighborhood air quality and a vastly improved view scape in low income area.
• Pedestrian Safety - New bus ingress and egress design are safer for pedestrians
• Utilized new state of the art public transportation technologies to lower the carbon footprint for the RIPTA Bus fleet.

This project was awarded the 2024 ACEC-RI First Place Gold Anchor Award.