HARRISBURG, Pa. -- Joshua "Jot" Bennett, a respected figure in the motorcoach industry for nearly four decades, finds himself, for the first time in 25 years, not carrying the title of president.

Late this past summer, Bennett and his partners sold Capitol Trailways and Rohrer Tour & Charter Co. of Harrisburg, to Bieber Tourways of Kutztown, Pa. (See Sept. 1 Bus & Motorcoach News.)

Bennett, president and CEO of Capitol Trailways and Rohrer Tour & Charter, said he and partners Skip Becker and Joe Wrabel decided the time was right to sell.

"How often does somebody come along to buy a bus company?" Bennett asked.

"If there's no one to succeed you, and as you advance in age, you think more about it."

Steve Haddad, president and CEO of Bieber, is forming a transportation group, and Bennett will be serving as vice president of that operation.

"I'll be kept on the board for a number of years for my expertise," Bennett said. "I've been in the bus industry since 1969. I enjoy the industry and I love the area I live in, Harrisburg. I'm happy to stay on with Steve Haddad for a few years."

Bennett's partners, each of whom owned one-third interest in Capital and

Rohrer, also will remain with the companies for a period. Wrabel will stay on

in the financial-accounting department, while Becker will do marketing

for Capital and Bieber, according to Bennett.

For several years, Bennett ran his wife's family business, Lincoln Coach

Lines of Pittsburgh, which was started in 1926. He bought into Capitol Trailways in 1988.

Although he declined to give his age, Bennett said, "add up the numbers. Whatever my age, I'm not old enough to retire. The bus industry has a lot of aspects. I enjoy the people, I know the industry, and it's still as fun and rewarding as ever. Any job that you don't have an interest in, it's not worth doing. This is part of my life. When I'm ready to retire, I'll know it."

Bennett said he, Becker and Wrabel have been together for 20 years.

"We got to a point where we weren't looking to sell when Steve (Haddad) came along. We've had a high level of success. When you own something you want to make sure it survives, and the employees keep their jobs. We didn't have any successors or family behind us. When Steve came and suggested a purchase, it made a lot of sense. The offer was an important part of the process."

Bennett, who is chairman of the American Bus Association Foundation, plans to remain active in that organization, which is marking 10 years of awarding scholarships and conducting motorcoach, travel and tour industry research. Current research is focusing on potential customers from the baby boomer generation.

"The ABA Foundation is very important to me," Bennett said. "I was instrumental in finding the funds to start it up."

Bennett also sits on the board of the Greater New Jersey Motorcoach Association, while Wrabel is a director of the Pennsylvania Bus Association.

Bennett, after a short pause, said he was sure "I'll enjoy my future here. You never know where things might go and I'm happy to be part of this industry.

"I don't know if Ill head up another bus company. Take each day as it comes. I have a lot of knowledge and experience, and Steve will draw on that. And that's pretty much my expectation for the future."