More than 60 years and three generations ago, the Susquehanna Trailways in Williamsport started its roots in Clinton County as a local service in Lock Haven that provided a transit bus within its city limits.
"Carl Kephart Sr. started the business as local service in Lock Haven. It was early bus service in the 1950s. They just had a local transit system," said Amy Brooks, of Susquehanna Trailways.
At that time, there was a lot of industry and many did not have access to a car. The new bus system was a way to take passengers to and from work and grocery shopping, according to Brooks.
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With 33 motorcoaches, four mini-busses and more than 100 school busses, Susquehanna Trailways has been a mainstay in the area for more than 60 years.
However in the early 80s, the current home to Susquehanna Trailways in Williamsport was owned by Trailways Inc. The Kephart's bought the building and the rights, which officially marked the beginning of the Susquehanna Trailways that everyone has grown to know over the years.
Under the expansion, the business was no longer just a transit bus system. They could now offer a variety of other services as well.
Today, some of the different types of service that Susquehanna provides are charters, tours, daily bus routes, school busses and contract transportation.
Susquehanna has 33 motorcoaches, four mini-busses and more than 100 school busses.
With about 200 employees, Susquehanna easily serves more than 1,000 people in a day, according to Brooks.
"I can't even say how many school kids we transport on a daily basis. Out of here (the terminal), we have eight departures daily for our scheduled service, with the capacity of 55 passengers on each of those busses, I would say we are probably serving thousands in a day with the different types of services that we offer," Brooks said.
The wayward economy seems to have helped Susquehanna more than it has hindered the business's success. Susquehanna has seen an increase to a couple different sides of the business.
"The tours are going incredibly well. Our Pennsylvanian gambling destinations are a big draw, particularly Mohegan Sun. Our scheduled service (is also increasing)," Brooks said
People are finally realizing some of the dollars and cents that are associated with leaving their cars at home, Brooks said.
"People are being much more conservative. Rather than driving their own cars for distances, especially when comparing the price of the ticket with the comfort and ease of travelling by bus, people are finding it much easier to get on the bus and let us do the driving for them. That helps them conserve their own vehicle," Brooks said.
Over the years, the bus business has expanded. Aside from buying the rites to Trailways Inc. in the early 80s, they also bought Catawesa Coach Co. in 1988, according to Brooks.
Within the last year, they bought four more busses.
Susquehanna is always looking for drivers and Brooks said it is a great full time job.
"We have enjoyed the business climate in Williamsport. We have been a part of the downtown for a long time. We look forward to staying around for the future," Brooks said.
The terminal is open 6 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily, with departures from 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. The tour-charter office is only open weekdays.
