As hurricane season looms over the Gulf Coast, Hotard Coaches is again preparing to play a pivotal role in emergency evacuations and disaster recovery efforts. The Louisiana-based motorcoach operator, a subsidiary of All Aboard America Holdings Inc. under the Kelsian Group, is marking its 90th anniversary this year with a continued focus on providing essential transportation services during crises.
Julie Chalmers, general manager of Hotard Coaches, says the company’s work in disaster response is a year-round commitment, not just a seasonal priority.
“All of our team training includes disaster relief work because when the disaster is here, it’s too late for training or planning – it’s go time,” Chalmers says.
Hotard’s response framework is built around two phases: pre-landfall evacuations, which include transporting at-risk populations like nursing home residents and college students, and post-landfall recovery, which involves mobilizing utility and infrastructure crews to restore essential services.
“Knowing what we can and cannot do safely is critical,” Chalmers says. “We work with our customers to understand their needs and deliver the safest option in the conditions that are presenting at that time.”
Staying ahead of the storm
When a storm is imminent, Hotard often shifts from regular charter operations to emergency response mode. Scheduled trips are canceled, and vehicles and drivers are redeployed — sometimes with the help of sister companies such as First Class Transportation in Houston.
“The entire team unites to work in shifts to reschedule trips for current clients, but also to start deploying additional drivers and vehicles into services where they are needed most,” Chalmers says.
Driver training is continual, and Chalmers notes that once drivers experience the impact of their work in a disaster setting, many are eager to assist again.
“The conditions can be really challenging, but with a mission to reconnect communities, our drivers have confidence that our vehicles are well equipped with amenities and provisions — they can even sleep onboard if they need to,” she says.
Following the lessons of Hurricane Katrina, U.S. law now mandates evacuation transport plans for vulnerable populations, including residents of nursing homes. Hotard’s coaches are also a critical resource for utility workers, providing transportation, lodging, and food vendors when large service vehicles must remain parked offsite.
Chalmers emphasizes that having enough drivers, not just buses, is a vital component of emergency readiness. During fuel shortages, such as one that occurred after a hurricane in the New Orleans area, Hotard partnered with a local fuel supplier to provide gasoline at its depot, ensuring staff could make it to work without the added stress of long fuel lines.
The company also maintains a stockpile of disaster supplies — including water, fuel, toilet paper, ice, and backup power — to support employees and their families.
“They want to come to work where we have water, gas, power, and ice available,” Chalmers says.
Part of community planning
Hotard’s experience in managing disaster logistics has earned it a role in local and regional emergency planning discussions, including with law enforcement and utility providers. In addition to regular coordination with public agencies, the company conducts internal disaster response drills at least twice a year.
“We always learn from the preparation work,” Chalmers says. “No drill work is ever wasted.”
Through its affiliation with the global Kelsian Group, Hotard has access to a broader network of disaster response expertise and resources, extending as far as Australia. This allows for the rapid deployment of additional vehicles and personnel, aided by technology that provides centralized oversight of fleet logistics.
“Our electronic fleet logging system allows us to see exactly what vehicle and driver is closest to the required job,” Chalmers says. “It’s relevant to everything from minor incidents to mass-scale evacuations.”
Hotard’s disaster work extends beyond hurricanes. The company has responded to train derailments and other emergencies, leveraging virtual communications and group messaging to stay connected and coordinated across its network.
“Our strength lies in being both globally connected and locally grounded,” Chalmers says. “We’re always ready to deliver a resilient, efficient, and well-coordinated response when communities need it most.”
