QUEBEC CITY — Doug Anderson was taking notes as he spent a recent weekend enjoying Prevost’s 100th anniversary celebration.
His company, Anderson Coach & Travel in Greenville, Pennsylvania, is approaching a milestone: In just two years, it will celebrate its 90th anniversary. He’s drawing inspiration from his long-time partner, Prevost, whose nearly year-long centennial celebration has provided a blueprint for honoring legacy and growth.
Anderson’s relationship with Prevost began more than 25 years ago.
“We had a 100% General Motors fleet initially, but when they left the market in 1979, we explored other options. In 1999, we transitioned to Prevost, and we’ve stayed with them ever since,” Anderson explained.
Now operating 35 Prevost coaches, Anderson attributes his loyalty to the consistency and reliability of the brand.
“They haven’t made major radical changes to their buses, which means the core operating system remains similar year over year,” Anderson said. “I have buses that are 12 years old that ride and perform as well as the brand-new ones we added this year.”
Reliability and service
Anderson said Prevost’s approach to customer care and product reliability has been a major factor in his company’s success.
“The reliability and dependability of Prevost exceeds any other product we’ve had. The consistency of the amenities and the uniform driving experience are invaluable for our team,” he added.
Attending Prevost’s 100th-anniversary event, which was celebrated by customers, employees and local dignitaries, gave Anderson a chance to see firsthand how the company has honored its rich history while remaining focused on the future. The weekend included spending time in the Prevost factory in Sainte-Claire, Québec, about an hour southeast of Quebec City.
“It’s a testament to the quality of the products they produce,” Anderson said as he toured the factory.
The Saturday afternoon factory tour was followed by a concert and carnival on the facility grounds that drew more than 6,000 people, including vendors, employees and their families.
“They’ve really put on an extravagant event to show their dedication and appreciation for their customers,” he said.
Three-decade partnership
For Terry Fischer, Prevost’s 100th-anniversary celebration wasn’t just another industry event; it was a tribute to a partnership that has shaped his career. His family-owned company has grown to include three West Coach motorcoach brands, TCS in Southern California, Calgary and Nashville; Royal Coach in Northern California, Phoenix, and Las Vegas; and Polynesian Adventure in Hawaii.
“When we received the invitation, there was no question we’d attend,” Fischer said, standing beside his wife, Kathryn, the company’s vice president of sales for TCS. “It’s important to them, and to us.”
Fischer’s relationship with Prevost began in 1993 when he purchased his first coach from the manufacturer. What started as a business decision became the foundation of a lasting loyalty.
He estimates he has purchased more than 100 Prevost motorcoaches in his 38 years in the bus industry. His enthusiasm for Prevost coaches remains as strong as ever.
“Our customers love the Prevost coaches the most,” Fischer said. “But beyond that, their service and support are unmatched — far above any other manufacturer.”
That commitment to quality and after-sales care has kept him coming back.
“I’ve toured the factory before, when it was in full swing with everyone working hard, wearing their safety goggles. It’s exciting to see the process in action,” Fischer said. “Walking around the factory today, seeing the workers volunteering, and talking with them, you can see how passionate they are about this product. It makes you want to support them even more.”
Connections, old and new
Robert Saucedo is president of Carreras Tours in Chino, California. Saucedo’s journey with Prevost has also built a strong connection with the company.
“One of the key reasons we moved to Prevost was the proximity of their branch to our shop,” Saucedo explained. “It’s just 10 minutes away, which makes getting parts and service incredibly convenient. The support they offer is excellent. Our mechanics love working on the buses because they’re familiar with the brand, which cuts down on maintenance time.”
This level of efficiency, he added, has been crucial to keeping Carreras Tours’ buses on the road and minimizing downtime. Now operating a fleet of 12 Prevost buses, Carreras Tours has fully embraced the brand.
“We’re 100% Prevost now, and the partnership has been outstanding. Their team is always available, and the support is fast and reliable,” Saucedo said.
In recent years, Clarence and Wendy Cox, owners of Georgia Coach Lines in Fayetteville, have rekindled their connection with Prevost. After first buying a Prevost in the late 1980s, the company stepped away from the brand for a while but returned in 2023 with new purchases, and plans to buy two more coaches in 2025.
“We’ve made recent purchases to upgrade our fleet,” Clarence Cox explained. “The reliability and aftercare service were big reasons why we chose Prevost again. We can’t afford to have our coaches down, and they don’t just sell you the bus and walk away. They follow up and check in to make sure everything is running smoothly.”
The Coxes appreciated the chance to meet with other operators at the anniversary event, some familiar and others new.
“The investment they’ve made in this event shows just how much they appreciate their customers,” Wendy said.
Touring the factory was a highlight for the couple, who appreciated seeing the people behind the craftsmanship that goes into each bus.
“Seeing the buses go from raw metal to the finished product is incredible,” Clarence said. “You can watch videos, but there’s nothing like being here in person.”
Though their fleet of 10 coaches may be smaller than some, the Coxes say they felt just as valued by Prevost as the larger companies.
“You would think events like this are for the big companies buying 50 or 60 coaches, but the fact that they invited smaller, family-owned businesses like ours says a lot about Prevost,” Clarence said.
‘Incredible history’
Also on the factory floors were several Prevost coaches, including a Greyhound, a police mobile unit, and a rare H5-60 articulated bus. That articulated bus, brought to the celebration by Jimmy Hall, owner of Venture Tours in Virginia Beach, Virginia, is part of a limited production run of just 147.
“You don’t get that every day, having your bus right in the center of the manufacturing floor,” said Hall, who has made the bus available for other events celebrating Prevost’s history, including the UMA Motorcoach EXPO in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Hall’s relationship with Prevost stretches back to 1991, when he first visited the factory with his dad as a 23-year-old. More than 30 years later, being part of the company’s 100th anniversary brought everything full circle.
“It was amazing to be back, to see how much has changed, and to be part of this incredible history,” Hall said.“Seeing people I’ve known for years, some of whom have retired, and just being a part of their history, as they are a part of mine, was really special,” he said.
For George Doyle and his son TJ, owners of Gold Shield Transportation Service in Lexington, Kentucky, the anniversary celebration marked their deepening relationship with Prevost. The Doyles transitioned to Prevost in 2019, a decision influenced by the company’s reputation for reliability.
“Prevost’s reputation played a huge role in our decision,” George Doyle explained. “Their motorcoaches cost a bit more, but the reliability is there, and it’s what our clients prefer.”
The anniversary event and factory tour left an impression on TJ Doyle.
“It was incredible,” he said. “You can really tell that Prevost cares deeply about their customers and employees.”
As Gold Shield continues to grow – it now has 37 Prevost coaches in its fleet – the Doyles are confident in their partnership with the company.
“The large turnout here shows how much they value their relationships,” George said.
‘The best investment’
What began as a mobile disc jockey business for Sander Kaplan has transformed into one of Florida’s leading motorcoach companies that operates 40 motorcoaches, all of them Prevost.
Kaplan, founder of A Candies Coachworks Inc. in Gainesville, Florida, took his limousine company to a new level when he borrowed $45,000 from his mother to purchase his first pre-owned Prevost, a 2000 Prevost H3-45, in 2006.
“That was the best investment she ever made,” Kaplan said of his mother’s support, which helped build the foundation for the company.
Kaplan’s decision to exclusively use Prevost buses came after a competitor recommended the brand, citing its superior comfort, storage capacity, and reputation as the “Rolls Royce of motorcoaches.”
Not long after, Kaplan secured an account with the University of Florida, prompting rapid growth.
“When I showed them the coach for the first time, they said, ‘You’re going to need more.’ Within three months, we bought our second motorcoach, and six months later, our third.”
Candies has since shifted from purchasing pre-owned coaches to buying new models.
“Two years ago, we started buying new motorcoaches because our clients began to demand them,” said Kaplan. His company now boasts two 2024 and two 2025 Prevost coaches, which Kaplan said are essential for attracting and retaining high-end clients.
Kaplan and his wife, Lynne, appreciated being invited to celebrate the company’s centennial.
“It’s like they really pay attention to their clients,” Kaplan said. “They treated us to a wonderful weekend to show their appreciation, and we feel like we have a very strong partnership. It’s incredible to see someone’s dream endure for 100 years, providing exceptional service and creating lasting relationships.”
‘Like a big family’
For Charles Williams, owner of American Stage Tours in Concord, California, the 100th-anniversary celebration was about more than just buses – it was about family.
American Stage Tours has been working with Prevost for 27 years. It switched to the brand when a deal with another manufacturer fell through.
“We pivoted to Prevost, even though they were more expensive,” Williams recalled. That decision turned out to be a pivotal moment for the company, marking the beginning of a long and fruitful partnership.”
Over the years, American Stage Tours has purchased 26 Prevost coaches, and Williams has built personal relationships with many of the company’s employees.
“Prevost really is like a big family, and they bring you into that,” Williams said. “This celebration has felt more like a family reunion.”
Related:
Thousands gather for Prevost’s 100th-anniversary celebration in Quebec
What Prevost’s year-long centennial celebration can teach about marking milestones
