The immediately recognizable bus company that has carried tens of thousands of us to major events, sightseeing adventures and beyond for the past 95 years is being sold. It marks the first time in its nearly one hundred year history that the company will be owned by someone other than a member of the founding family.
Cardinal Buses, Inc., headquartered over the state line in Northwest Indiana, has ferried many of us around for years, but current owners Matt & Don Shoup have been looking to the day when they retire and wanted to make sure the iconic bus company would continue to be in good hands.
On Thursday afternoon they announced the clients, family and friends that they have joined forces with Oak Creek, Wisconsin-based Riteway Bus Service, Inc. doing business as GO Riteway Transportation Group. The change will take effect March 1, 2019.
The Shoup brothers issued a letter to customers saying, “As we neared retirement age, we were looking for a business partner who shared our values and would maintain the legacy our family has built over the years. We are confident we found that partner in the Bast family and that GO Riteway has the type of organization that can successfully take Cardinal forward.”
They go on to say that both GO Riteway and Cardinal Buses are in their third generation of family ownership, with GO Riteway co-owned by four members of the Bast family: Ron, Rochelle, Wendy, and RJ.
GO Riteway was founded in 1957 by Rollie and Pearl Bast with four school buses in Germantown, Wisconsin. Today, the company services over 30 school districts in Wisconsin and has 1,475 employees operating in 20 locations with over 1,250 passenger transportation vehicles.
Cardinal Buses was started in 1923 when Branston Shoup purchased Middlebury Bus Lines. Branston’s son John took over the business in 1954 and afterward, Don and Matt took over ownership from their father.
When the companies are combined, the GO Riteway / Cardinal Bus operation will become one of the largest motor coach companies serving the states of Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana and Michigan with over 100 coach vehicles.
The Shoup brothers say, “This will not affect our commitment to top-quality service in any way and no immediate changes are planned. The Cardinal name will remain in the markets where we operate. Our brand is a long-time symbol of safe and reliable passenger transportation, just like GO Riteway’s. We both plan to stay on a few years to ensure a smooth transition to the Bast family ownership. We appreciate our employees and our customers and want to make sure they are well taken care of.”
GO Riteway plans on retaining Cardinal employees and expects there will be excellent career opportunities in the years ahead as they look to grow the business in the region. GO Riteway’s core values, emphasizing safety, integrity and teamwork, ensure the most dependable and safe transportation for business travelers, tourists, students and local residents. For more information, you can visit online at www.goriteway.com.
While Cardinal has been headquartered in Middlebury, Indiana, they also have offices in Holland and Mishawaka.
The photo accompanying this story on Moody on the Market is courtesy of Cardinal Buses.
