From Historic Buses to Hybrid-Electric: Northwestern’s Sustainable Fleet on Display at Bus Day

For most people, a museum is a place to look back at history; a curated archive of where we’ve been. For Dennis Laming, Strategic Development Manager at WeDriveU, it’s also a way to stay connected to where the industry is going.

On September 26, Dennis brought those two worlds together at the Illinois Railway Museum’s (IRM) annual Bus Day in Union, Illinois. The event, which celebrates the rich heritage of historic trolley buses, motor coaches, and rail equipment, served as the ideal backdrop to showcase how far public transit and campus transportation has come, and where it is heading next.

A Lifelong Passion for Transportation

Transportation isn’t just Dennis’s day job; it’s a lifelong passion. Beyond his role at WeDriveU, Dennis regularly devotes his personal time to volunteering at IRM. Whether assisting with vehicle maintenance and supporting other museum projects, or studying the mechanical evolution of vintage transit fleets, his hands-on involvement reflects a deep appreciation for the industry’s roots.

That personal dedication inspired Dennis to look for ways to expand Bus Day’s scope. He envisioned an event that didn’t just honor transit history, but actively bridged the gap between yesterday’s restored vehicles and today’s cutting-edge fleet technology. His commitment and dedication to the museum embodies the spirit of WeDriveU Cares in action; our commitment to giving back to local communities, supporting educational outreach, and celebrating the people behind public transit.

Bringing Northwestern’s Hybrid-Electric Fleet to Bus Day

Through his work at WeDriveU, Dennis coordinated with key client partners at Northwestern University to bring one of the 12 hybrid-electric buses WeDriveU operates for the university to the exhibition. The appearance carried special significance: it marked the one-year anniversary of Northwestern deploying these advanced hybrid-electric vehicles as part of its ongoing initiative to modernize campus transportation and significantly reduce its carbon footprint.

A Crowd Favorite

NU’s bus quickly became a highlight of the day, drawing significant interest from visitors eager to learn more about its technology, design, and the routes it serves. More than 100 attendees stopped to photograph the vehicle, while others asked questions about Northwestern’s fleet and WeDriveU’s role in operating it.

The display also created a meaningful connection for members of the Northwestern community. Northwestern Ph.D. students and a former professor who attended the event were especially excited to see the bus representing their university. Bus Day welcomed more than 600 visitors, including attendees from Canada, the Netherlands, and Germany, underscoring the broad enthusiasm for public transportation and the opportunity to connect people around a shared interest in the industry.

A Wider View of Today’s Transit Fleet

Recognizing that the future of mobility relies on broad collaboration, Dennis also helped IRM connect the event with modern vehicles from Loyola University and Pace Suburban Bus, bringing together three examples of transit’s evolving landscape alongside IRM’s historic fleet.

Together, these vehicles created a comprehensive timeline of regional transit. Side-by-side with IRM’s beautifully preserved historical coaches, the modern fleets gave transit enthusiasts, families, and industry professionals a firsthand look at the rapid evolution of vehicle design, efficiency, and rider comfort.

Transit Brings People Together

From the history of where transit began to the technology moving it forward, Bus Day highlighted the essential role transportation plays in connecting communities.
WeDriveU extends a special thank you to Dennis Laming, Northwestern University and the Illinois Railway Museum for making the event a resounding success. We look forward to continuing to drive innovation, sustainability, and community partnership across the transit industry.