Hotard Coaches Celebrates 90 Years Of Customer-Focused Transportation

Hotard’s success has been built on strong relationships with customers, employees, and the communities it serves. (Photo courtesy of All Aboard America Holdings)

Hotard Coaches is celebrating 90 years of delivering safe, reliable, and customer-focused transportation.

“Since its founding in 1935, Hotard has grown from a local bus company into a leader in motorcoach travel as part of All Aboard America Holdings, which is owned by Kelsian Group,” according to a press release. “The focus has been on serving communities with a commitment to safety, innovation, and exceptional service.”

The release added: “For nearly a century, Hotard’s success has been built on strong relationships — with customers, employees, and the communities it serves. Bobby Green, the company’s longest-serving employee, has been part of the Hotard family since April 1, 1984, a testament to the company’s dedication to its people.”

Reflecting on the company’s growth and enduring values, Julie Hotard Chalmers, General Manager of Hotard Coaches, said people have remained at the center of the business.

She added: “So much has changed in my 18 years at Hotard, yet some things remain the same — we have always been an employee-centric and driver-focused organization. When I first joined, Callen Hotard told me, ‘If we take care of the drivers, the drivers will take care of the customers, and the bottom line will take care of itself.’ That mantra still drives us today. Safety and service are at the core of every decision we make.”

Hotard Coaches has also continually evolved, transitioning from traditional buses to state-of-the-art motorcoaches featuring Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, leather seating, onboard restrooms, and USB connectors.

At the same time, technology has also changed the way the company operates, such as the use of electronic fleet logs, onboard cameras, and real-time vehicle monitoring to improve safety and efficiency.

“Looking ahead to the company’s 100-year milestone, the focus remains on people and talent development, and delivering services and experiences aligned with its reputation for excellence,” the release stated.

“I hope that in 10 years, we see the same faces from our largest post-COVID hiring class, growing and advancing within the company,” Chalmers said. “We also want to continue building on our strong community relationships. What truly matters is staying true to who we are — putting people first, providing great service, and strengthening the relationships that define our success.”

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