On March 16, a powerful storm swept through State College, Pennsylvania, leaving destruction in its wake. Among the hardest hit was Fullington Trailways, a company with over a century of history, whose main office and garage faced significant disruption. The storm toppled 13 utility poles along Alexander Drive and S Filmore Road, cutting off power, phone lines, and internet access while blocking the facility’s only entrance with live wires.
Inside the building, drivers and staff were stranded. Outside, nearly 70 motorcoaches were heading home, unable to access the main office after a busy weekend of spring break charters. The nerve center of Fullington Trailways had gone dark at a critical moment.
“It was almost a blessing in disguise that the parking lot was empty when the storm hit,” said Mike Dull, Vice President of Operations. “No one could get in or out once the poles came down.”
A Swift and Strategic Response
Faced with this enormous challenge, Fullington Trailways demonstrated quick thinking and resilience. Despite the destruction and the obstacles, the team managed to keep all operations running without canceling a single trip. Within hours, they had relocated their fleet, set up a temporary command center, and ensured service continuity.
“We had to ask: what do we need to do now to prevent inconvenience to our customers?” Dull explained. “We didn’t cancel one charter, line run, or tour. We made some schedule modifications, but we kept everything running—and even took on additional business during that time.”
Coordinating Emergency Solutions
While utility crews worked to assess and repair the damage, the operations team took immediate action to secure emergency parking for the returning buses. Penn State University provided temporary parking near Beaver Stadium. Drivers not stranded by live wires were shuttled to local hotels using their buses or rideshare services like Uber.
“Many of them weren’t expecting to be out overnight, but they understood the situation,” Dull noted about the drivers sent to hotels. “At least they had a hot shower, a bed, and maybe a hot breakfast in the morning.”
For drivers who remained stranded on-site, the company prioritized their safety and well-being, assisting to meet their needs. “Some drivers had medications and weren’t prepared to be out overnight,” said Dull. “We had to make sure their health and well-being were taken care of.”
Establishing a Temporary Command Center
Thanks to an innovative temporary solution, the company was back up and running by Monday. The Fullington team established a new operations base at a nearby hotel’s conference center. With the help of their IT department, dispatchers worked from folding tables and borrowed equipment, while the sales team handled tasks remotely. Mechanics and cleaners adjusted to the situation by bringing tools and supplies directly to the buses for on-the-spot maintenance.
However, the situation required constant adaptation. On Tuesday, the team was forced to relocate their parking site once again due to a baseball tournament at Beaver Stadium, making the logistics even more daunting. “Moving 70 buses once is tough,” Dull explained. “Doing it twice in two days? Even more so.”
A Never-Interrupted Service
Despite these challenges, Fullington’s operations continued without interruption, a testament to the company’s resilience and strong community support. “Buses don’t move by themselves,” Dull said. “It takes manpower. Everyone we asked for help responded favorably, including employees, local officials, and our community. We couldn’t have done it without them.”
More than a week after the storm struck, the company regained full power and returned to its headquarters. However, due to the extensive damage, the entrance remained blocked for the rest of March. The company operated on a temporary internet connection while waiting for normal service to resume.
Lessons from Adversity
For Mike Dull, who has been with the company since 2008 and represents the fourth generation of his family’s involvement with Fullington Trailways, this event underscored many lessons about crisis management and preparedness.
“We’ve been through preparedness scenarios before, but now we have a real-life story,” Dull said. “Before, everything was just Scenario One, Two, or Three. Now we know what to do if this happens again.”
Reflecting on how the team surmounted such an unexpected crisis, Dull emphasized the importance of people. “You can’t take for granted the people around you,” he said. “Review your preparedness plans often. There’s no perfect playbook, but make sure you have the right people in place. That’s what makes the difference when something unprecedented hits.”
A Legacy of Resilience
Founded in 1908, Fullington Trailways has endured over a century of challenges and change. This storm was yet another test of the team’s determination and resourcefulness. By focusing on the needs of their customers and leveraging an all-hands-on-deck approach, the company turned a potential disaster into a story of resilience and preparedness.
Fullington Trailways is more than just a transportation company; it’s a community built on adaptability, dedication, and a commitment to keeping things rolling—even when the road ahead seems blocked.
Source: Bus and Motorcoach News
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