LAKE ELMO, Wis. Ritway Bus, one of the largest independent ground passenger transportation companies in the upper Midwest, celebrated its 50th anniversary in grand style here late last month.

Riteway took over the Washington County Fairgrounds and entertained more than 1,000 people -- employees and families -- at an anniversary party. Several employees were recognized for their outstanding contributions and years of service.

The company also marked its half-century milestone by dedicating a 50-foot flagpole at Germantown (Wis.) High School.

Riteway was founded 50 years ago by Rollie and Pearl Bast as a school bus company. It started in 1957 with four schools buses and today operates 500.

The company estimates it has transported five million children during the five decades it has been in business.

In the mid-1980s, Riteway bought its first motorcoaches, expanding into tour and charter services. Today it operates 32 coaches, with two new MCI J4500s added to the fleet this summer.

In 2004, Riteway created a third business unit, a limousine and towncar division. Today, it has 30 limos and cars.

While Riteway corporate headquarters and motorcoach division are headquartered in Richfield, Wis., the school bus operation is based out of Germantown and the limousine unit is based in nearby Milwaukee.

In all, the company has eight locations in Wisconsin and 700 employees.

While Rollie and Pearl Bast are still involved in the company, the day-to-day operations are managed by their son, Ron, who is president, and daughter, Rochelle, who is vice president.

Ron Basts son, RJ, is manager of operations, and daughter, Wendy, is operations manager and human resources director for Riteways Milwaukee location. They represent the third generation of the family to work in the company.

The business philosophy adopted by Rollie Bast 50 years ago continues to guide the company: "Love what you do, no matter what it is; treat people as you would treat family; and always have a can-do attitude."

Rollie Bast received a Man of the Year award in 1999 from the Germantown Chamber of Commerce. This year, a state business group honored Riteway as one of the top family-owned businesses in Wisconsin.

To learn more about the company, go to www.ritewaybus.com.