The wait is over! In the premiere episode of Bus Tech Talk, Alex Roman, Editor of METRO Magazine, and Mark Hollenbeck of Complete Coach Works sit down with Charlie Busse, Director of Maintenance at Connect Transit in Bloomington-Normal, Illinois. Charlie shares his journey in the transit industry and how he’s helping lead Connect Transit into a more sustainable, tech-forward future. From rolling out electric buses to addressing technician shortages, Charlie is a hands-on leader driving real change within his agency.
In this episode, you’ll hear how Charlie got his start in public transit, what it’s like managing a fleet for a small agency, strategies for recruiting, retaining, and training skilled technicians, and why embracing innovation is essential in today’s maintenance operations.
About our Guest
Charlie has been with Connect Transit for 4.5 years, serving as Maintenance Manager for the past 3.5 years. With over 12 years of experience in the automotive industry, his background includes managing auto parts stores, working in the service department of a Ford dealership, and overseeing operations at several independent repair shops. Of all his roles, Charlie has found the most fulfillment in public transit. His position allows him to stay hands-on in the shop while also managing facilities maintenance and new construction projects. Most importantly, he takes pride in contributing to a vital service that supports the community. For Charlie, transit has proven to be the ideal fit, and he values the many meaningful connections he has built throughout the industry.