By Dave Millhouser

"Id love to do a test drive in your demo but time is tight. Could we kill two birds with one stone and run an errand in it?" asked my customer.

"Why not?" I thought.

Thirty minutes later the coachs luggage bays were loaded with flowers and a big "Rest in Peace" wreath occupied a place of honor in the passenger cabin, as we headed to church to help set up for a funeral.

The customer was a master of multitasking, operating a flower shop, limousine service and coach company out of the same building. The demonstration was a bit unusual, but the bus smelled great for days.

Youre smarter than you think.

The skills youve acquired, or hired, to run a coach operation are many and varied.

If youre managing a bus company youve learned how to deal with complex personnel issues, maintain sophisticated equipment, maximize the use of precious capital (like running the wheels off your buses in season).

You deal (or cope) with government regulations, and have picked up myriad of other abilities along the way.

You are waaaaaaaaay smart. Heck, you didnt think I loved you for your looks did you?

The point is that, in the current economy, you may be able to profit by using all that stuff in new ways. If you can leverage the resources needed to operate a complex bus company, you may be able to pick up new sources of revenue without adding equipment (and risk).

Many public transit authorities are administered by management companies. Is there an opportunity for you to do that sort of thing for other entities that run vehicles to enhance their operation?

New and expanding regulations make it much more difficult for businesses, nursing homes, churches, schools and others to operate passenger vehicles legally.

You already have drug testing, safety training and record keeping in place. Can they use your infrastructure to operate legally and safely? Perhaps "rent" them drivers or sell them training.

Their core business is not transportation, so why not help out so they can concentrate on their real goals.

If an entity needs to own vehicles, you are likely more skilled at evaluating and buying equipment than they are. Help them with purchasing the right bus (particularly if youre going to operate it for them).

In some cases the opposite is possible. (If youre looking for consistency, why are you reading me?)

One of the smartest operators I know runs a few coaches and a number of school buses. He has a large parking lot, and an extremely good shop. In addition to seeking service business from operators passing through his area, he solicits competitors to park their coaches on his lot, and let him do their maintenance.

He makes money every time a coach rolls off his lot, whether its his or a competitors. His investment (and risk) is small, and he is the center of the Bus Universe in his region.

Betcha you have a lavatory dump at your garage, have you thought of advertising it to passing RVs?

Most charter operators have slow periods (you KNEW that). Are there new ways you could be using your coaches? Years ago, every Tuesday, we chartered a bus to a Realtor who took his agents to see that weeks new listings. Are there banks that could use a similar service to look at foreclosures? Construction companies that move workers between sites?

Regular-route carriers noticed years ago their luggage bays were traveling half empty, and invented package express. Are your coaches going anywhere consistently where there might be opportunities to carry freight? In some third world countries they mix passengers and livestock, but that MIGHT be illegal here.

Some businesses have several locations within a region, with employees traveling between them. Is there opportunity for a shuttle?

You get it, and will hopefully think of more opportunities to use your equipment and your resources in creative ways.

Its always fun to buy something, then find all sorts of things it can do, in addition to what it was designed for (like running a clothesline up the aisle of an old Eagle to replace a broken throttle cable).

"Mels Barber Shop and Bus Line" and "Ocean Breeze Transit and Day Care" were examples from ye olden days (honest). You can probably think of better synergies.

Just to repeat: You have an enormous and varied set of resources, and there may be lots of folks out there who need help. You are the "Swiss Army Knife" of business people, and there might be profit in using all those tools as much as possible.

Ive always wondered what would have happened if wed pulled that demonstrator coach into the loading dock at the bus station ... with that big "Rest In Peace" wreath on the passenger seat behind the windshield, like a destination sign.

Dave Millhouser is a bus industry marketing consultant and freelance writer. Contact him by email at Davemillhouser@gmail.com.