Starcraft Bus Celebrates Production Milestone When Starcraft Bus’ 25,000th vehicle rolled off of production
in January 2011, it marked not only the start of a long journey to the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC) but also the continuation of Starcraft’s 15-year footprint in the commercial and school bus industries. A division of Forest River, Starcraft Bus of Goshen, Ind., drew
upon its experience in the commercial market when launching its Type A school bus lines four years ago. “We are excited to have reached this milestone for our com-
pany. Over the years we have grown from a small shuttle bus company to America’s largest, and it wouldn’t have been possi- ble without the support and commitment of our team members and dealers,” said David Wright, president of Starcraft Bus and Federal Coach. “We continue to look for new ways to improve the design, engineering and quality of every shuttle bus that we produce and we look forward to building our next 25,000 buses.” Creative Bus Sales, a Starcraft Bus dealer located in Chino,
Calif., located about 35 miles east of Downtown Los Angeles, received the Allstar shuttle, coincidentally the very first bus manufactured by Starcraft in 1998. “Starcraft has grown to be the largest manufacturer of shuttle
buses through their commitment to value pricing, quality and responding to our customer’s needs. Te 25,000th bus is the re- sult of the execution of that commitment,” said Tony Majtivech, owner and president of Creative Bus Sales, adding that receiving the 25,000th bus also demonstrates the depth of his company’s
Starcraft Bus in January celebrated the production of its 25,000 Allstar commercial shuttle, also the first bus manufactured by the company in 1998. Tony Majitech (left) of Creative Bus Sales, received the bus for a Las Vegas customer as well as an award from Starcraft Bus GM David Wright (right).
ongoing partnership with Starcraft. RTC is one of Creative Bus’ largest customers and the largest transit and paratransit providers in the nation. ■
Visit the Web Exclusive section at
www.stnonline.com to read an online Q&A with Starcraft Bus GM David Wright on what this milestone means to the company.
Paige, Bast Founders of Two Early School Bus Contractors
Myrtle Paige, co-founder of Paige Bus Enterprises in 1970, died Jan. 14 at age 82 while Roland “Rollie”
Bast, founder of GO Riteway Transportation Group, passed away Feb. 8 at age 91. Paige took the helm of Paige Bus after husband Walter’s death in 1989, and she retired in 1998. Paige
Bus Enterprises was purchased by Cook-Illinois Corp., which now operates the company. Son Phil Paige, former president and CEO, remains a consultant for both Paige Bus and Cook-Illinois.
He said he is proud of his mother and what she brought to the industry. “My mother was a quiet and behind-the-scenes but very strong entrepreneur. She was the glue
that kept our company and our family together through the ups and downs of a startup company,” said Phil. Roland “Rollie” Bast founded GO Riteway Transportation Group in Wisconsin with wife Pearl in
1957 and was a 4-H leader and a member of the Germantown Rotary Club for 40 years, receiving the Paul Harris Fellow Award in 1990. He was a volunteer for the Germantown Fire Department from 1948 to 1988, was named Germantown Citizen of the Year in 1999 and received the Jackson-area Business Association Man of the Year in 2000. “Rollie was a special and unforgettable man with a huge heart and a great laugh,” said GO Riteway in
a statement. “He cared for his employees as though they were an extension of his family. He was active in the community and always gave back.” ■
Roland Bast
www.stnonline.com 23 Myrtle Paige
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