News From Prevost: Village Travel’s Journey — From Ski Trips To A 200-Coach Fleet

In September, Village Travel took delivery of three brand-new Prevost H3-45 coaches, with more on the way before the year’s end. (Photo courtesy of Prevost)

What began as a single coach for ski trips to Colorado has grown into one of the most successful motorcoach companies in the Midwest. Today, Village Travel operates nearly 200 coaches across eight markets, offering tours, charters, and entertainer service to thousands of passengers each year. Through decades of growth, one constant has been Village’s commitment to quality.

Humble Beginnings, Bold Growth

The story of Village Travel started in Wichita, KS, when the company’s founders purchased their own motorcoaches to take skiers from the Denver airport to the slopes.

“It kind of grew from there,” recalled Jeff Arensdorf, President & CEO. “They brought the bus back to Wichita, started running charters and baseball trips, and just kept adding coaches.”

By 2000, when Jeff and his father Norman acquired the company from the Marney family, Village operated a fleet of 15 buses. Over the next two decades, Jeff guided the company into new markets — including Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Missouri — while expanding services to include retail tours, charters, and eventually, entertainer coaches. Today, Village boasts nearly 200 vehicles, with Prevost representing about 60% of the fleet.

New Coaches For A New Season

That fleet continues to grow in 2025. In September, Village took delivery of three brand-new H3-45 coaches, with more on the way before the year’s end — ten H3-45 seated coaches and six entertainer shells in total.

For Arensdorf, these deliveries highlight both the strength of Village’s business and the reliability of its partnership with Prevost.

“We run our coaches for the bulk of their lives — about 14 years — so getting these new models into service is an investment in our long-term future,” he explained.

The timing of the most recent deliveries was especially critical, arriving just in time for the start of the college football season.

“We were in a real pinch to get those coaches delivered, and everyone at Prevost went above and beyond to make it happen,” Arensdorf said.

He added that this kind of support is consistent: “If we have a coach down, we know we can reach out to our service reps, and people jump in to get us what we need. That kind of support makes a huge difference.”

A Difference Drivers And Passengers Notice

Drivers and passengers alike recognize the advantages of a Prevost. Larger luggage bays, improved ergonomics, excellent visibility, and better headlights all contribute to a superior experience for drivers. For owners like Arensdorf, the Volvo engine’s fuel economy and torque are standouts.

“On mountainous routes, the coaches just keep going without a dramatic slowdown in speed,” he said.

Passenger comfort is equally important. Village equips its tour coaches with premium Cloud One winged luxury seating, ensuring guests enjoy maximum comfort on journeys that often span 12 to 14 days.

“We don’t get complaints about seat comfort anymore,” Arensdorf noted. “That makes a big difference when you’re traveling over 3,000 miles.”

To provide even more legroom, Village orders its tour coaches with fewer seats, giving passengers a more spacious ride.

“It’s one of the things that sets us apart,” Arensdorf said.

Building For The Long Haul

Village keeps its vehicles longer than many companies, so it relies on both the initial and long-term quality of Prevost.

“Not only is the quality very good at the start, but the coaches hold their value longer,” Arensdorf explained. “Our mechanics like the way they’re engineered and easy to maintain.”

This focus on durability allows Village to deliver consistent service while managing costs, fueling its ability to expand into new markets and services.

A Partnership Built On Trust

Reflecting on more than two decades of growth, Arensdorf credits the strength of the Prevost partnership.

“Prevost really is a quality product supported by a quality team,” he said. “They work hard to do things the right way, and that makes all the difference for us.”

From a coach doing ski trips to a 200-coach fleet — with new Prevost H3-45s arriving this year — Village Travel continues to thrive, proving what’s possible when vision, dedication, and partnership come together.

Visit govillagetravel.com and prevostcar.com.