HASTINGS, Minn. — Reliant Transportation Group is acquiring two family-owned Minnesota transportation companies, Southwest Coaches and Minnesota Motor Bus, expanding its school bus and motorcoach operations across the Upper Midwest.
The companies will retain their existing names, employees and service centers, according to Reliant. The acquisition is expected to provide continuity for school districts and communities served by the two operators.
Southwest Coaches has served the Marshall School District for 70 years, while Minnesota Motor Bus has transported students in Fairmont for more than 45 years.
“Over the years, we turned down numerous offers to sell,” said Tom Hey, whose family has owned Southwest Coaches since 1974. “But we found that Reliant Transportation Group was the perfect fit for these businesses to continue to thrive. Not only does Reliant have the experience and scale to keep pace with changes in the bus industry, but they’re the perfect cultural fit to take care of our employees and community.”
Brothers Tom and Jim Hey have owned Southwest Coaches since 2000 and acquired Minnesota Motor Bus in 2010. Jim Hey, who oversees the Marshall service center, will remain involved during the ownership transition. Local leadership also will remain involved at the Fairmont operation.
“We’re honored to help owners such as Tom and Jim find their path to retirement while safeguarding their legacy,” said Garrett Regan, vice president of corporate development for Reliant Transportation Group and a third-generation school transportation operator. “We look forward to supporting and investing in the team so they can continue providing the safe service that students and families can depend on.”
Reliant said the acquisition will not interrupt service or change existing routes. The Southwest Coaches and Minnesota Motor Bus names will remain on school buses, and drivers, mechanics and other employees will continue working from their existing facilities.
Reliant Transportation Group was formerly known as Minnesota Coaches and Affiliates. Founded by the Regan family in 1959, the company provides school bus and motorcoach transportation throughout the Upper Midwest. Its network includes more than 20 service centers and a combined fleet of more than 1,000 school buses, motorcoaches and other vehicles.
Reliant employs nearly 1,500 people and says its operations transport more than 40,000 passengers each day.
