New bus service vows to invest in drivers
New operators introduce themselves to school board
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MARSHALL -- The new owners of Southwest Coaches say they will remain committed to serving the Marshall area with school bus service.
On Tuesday, Reliant Transportation Group CEO Tom Nightingale told Marshall School Board members that the company would continue upholding the same values as Southwest Coaches.
"We really epitomize what they epitomize," Nightingale said. "That's why all of this represents little to no change for anybody here in the community."
Representatives of Reliant introduced themselves and their company to the school board at its Tuesday meeting.
Last month, MPS honored members of the Hey family for their 52 years of work operating the Southwest Coaches bus service. Southwest Coaches owners Tom and Jim Hey agreed to sell the business to the Reliant Transportation Group, effective Aug. 1.
"We feel very fortunate to be invited to join the Southwest Coaches family at this time," said Reliant chief operating officer Tom Severson.
Severson said the company was founded in southern Minnesota in the 1950s, and today operates both school bus and motor coach services in Minnesota and Wisconsin.
"We've had 65 years of experience in the school bus industry," Severson said.
Nightingale said Reliant operated under guiding principles including safety, community, integrity and service.
"We exist really to unlock education and experiences, because that is what student transportation does," he said. "We are delighted to be part of this community, and we look forward to continuing the great service that Tom and Jim (Hey), and all the way back to their mother and father have fostered within the community."
Barry Howell, director of sales, marketing and communications for Reliant, said that the company works to prevent bus driver shortages by investing into its teammates. He said Reliant would be continuing with programs like a 5% profit-sharing program, and a monthly peer-to-peer rewards system.
"We work very hard and are very intentional on happy drivers," Howell said.
Reliant representatives said the company keeps operations run by local management, and pools buying power for supplies like fuel and tires, as well as for health care and vehicle insurance.
Jim Hey said going forward, Reliant would also be working with Marshall Public Schools to offer two annual scholarships of $1,000, in honor of his parents Marv and Jan Hey.