From Fleet to Road: The Work Behind MSU Transportation
Tierra Nelson
September 2, 2026
Transportation Services in Infrastructure Planning and Facilities (IPF) plays an important role in supporting Michigan State University's teaching, research and outreach missions by providing safe, reliable and sustainable transportation solutions across the university.
From providing vehicles for university business and maintaining the campus fleet to coordinating charter transportation and fueling university-owned vehicles, Transportation Services supports students, faculty, staff, researchers, departments and visitors both on campus and across the country.
Leading the department is Transportation Services Manager Brooke Pugh, who joined Michigan State University in 2015 and Transportation Services in 2016. She has served as an Operations Coordinator, Motor Pool Manager, and, since 2024, Transportation Services Manager.
"I have the privilege of leading a talented team that is committed to customer service, innovation, and operational excellence," Pugh said. "Our work is ultimately centered on helping the MSU community succeed."
A Range of Transportation Services
Transportation Services includes several operations that work together to meet the university's diverse transportation needs.
Motor Pool provides approximately 360 vehicles, including sedans, SUVs, minivans, cargo vans, pickup trucks, and specialty vehicles. Departments can reserve vehicles for individual trips, recurring travel, or long-term use through the leasing program. Staff manage the vehicle lifecycle from acquisition and maintenance to fueling, cleaning, scheduling, and replacement.
Campus Bus Operations provides charter and event transportation throughout the year, supporting airport shuttles, Grandparents University, 4-H programs, Admitted Student Day, athletic teams, horse shows and other special events. The operation currently has four buses, with additional vehicles being added to support future transportation needs. Campus Bus operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with staff adjusting schedules and logistics in response to flight delays, vehicle breakdowns, weather, and changing customer needs.
The Service Garage keeps the university's vehicles and equipment safe and reliable through preventive maintenance, inspections, diagnostics, and repairs. Technicians support everything from passenger vehicles and vans to trucks, buses and specialized equipment, while also managing work orders, parts and communication with campus departments.
Transportation Services also operates an on-campus fuel station and car wash for university-owned vehicles. The fuel station provides unleaded gasoline, E85 ethanol, biodiesel, and propane, along with electric vehicle charging stations.
The Team Behind the Work
Keeping these services running requires employees with a wide range of skills and expertise; and no two days are exactly alike.
At the Motor Pool, Office Coordinators Kaelee Wolfe and Brenda Bond help customers coordinate reservations, vehicle assignments and other transportation needs. Adam Rosa manages the Motor Pool and contributes to planning and budgeting for the departments new facility, while Kathleen Faron supports accounting and financial processes.
Campus Bus Supervisor Tony Halliwill coordinates charter transportation services and works with contracted transportation providers, while Bus Driver Lead Cliff Chisholm supports drivers and passenger service. The operation also relies on on-call bus drivers and fuel station attendants to meet changing transportation needs.
At the Service Garage, Manager Louis Slater oversees garage operations as well as the Fuel Station & Car Wash. Matt Hicks connects garage customers with mechanics, coordinating repairs, work orders and billing. Mechanics Brad Carman, Dave Cavanagh, Eugene Case, Dan Martyn and Tom Remboski bring specialized knowledge to maintaining the university's diverse fleet, buses, trailers and equipment. Tabatha Lynde supports daily operations as Clerk/Receptionist II.
"It all starts with our customers and their need for safe, reliable vehicles," said the Service Garage team. "Behind every completed work order is a great deal of planning, troubleshooting, documentation, parts management, and teamwork."
That teamwork extends across Transportation Services, particularly when unexpected challenges arise. Staff work together to address vehicle breakdowns, changing schedules, and other needs to keep services moving.
"Our team's success comes from a combination of experience, adaptability, and a genuine commitment to helping one another," Pugh said. "No matter the challenge, we work together to find a solution."
Supporting the MSU Community
Although much of Transportation Services' work happens behind the scenes, its impact can be seen throughout the university. The team helps researchers get where they need to go, maintains vehicles that support campus operations, transports athletic teams, and helps university departments manage their fleets.
"Most people don't think about transportation until they need it," Pugh said. "But our team helps ensure the MSU community can focus on learning, teaching, research, and service without worrying about how they'll get where they need to be."
