Keeping Motorcoach Fleets Running: Why Training is Everything

For motorcoach operators, a smoothly running fleet starts with skilled, knowledgeable people. As technology evolves faster than ever, keeping buses on the road means investing in training that’s structured, hands-on, and ongoing.

“If we didn’t train, we’d have guys doing their own thing, and we’d have a cobbled mess,” said Scott Greteman, vice president of family-owned Windstar Lines. “We look at training as an investment, not just a cost. It’s expensive to bring everyone together, but it’s a lot cheaper than paying for breakdowns 1,000 miles away.”

Training Across the Fleet

Greteman manages 15 maintenance shops in 10 states for Windstar, which grew from a couple of buses in Iowa to one of the nation’s largest private motorcoach operators. Modern coaches aren’t just mechanical—they’re electronic, with complex emissions and electrical systems. Windstar runs annual, quarterly, and monthly training combining hands-on work, vendor sessions, and online certification programs to keep technicians sharp.

Every summer, technicians gather in Carroll, Iowa, for the company’s biggest in-person training. “We bring our guys in on a Sunday night, and we spend all day Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday until noon,” Greteman said. “We go over everything they want to learn, and we bring in vendors like ABC, MCI, Cummins, and REI (Radio Engineering Industries).”

Tailored Education Tracks

Windstar splits training into two tracks. New hires, or “greenhorns,” focus on the basics—reading schematics, tracing circuits, and building foundational skills. Advanced “A-techs” tackle air-conditioning systems, diagnostics, and electrical troubleshooting.

“They don’t want to sit at a desk for eight hours a day,” Greteman said. “They want to move, to touch the buses, to work through problems. That’s where they learn best.”

Training includes a 50-question test covering Department of Transportation rules, company policies, and manufacturer-specific procedures. Technicians also earn quarterly tool bonuses for completing online courses through MCI, ABC University, and other manufacturer portals.

Industry Collaboration Pays Off

At a United Motorcoach Association (UMA) Town Hall panel, Greteman and Louis Hotard of All Aboard America Holdings emphasized that continuous education is key for operators of all sizes. “Training and education have never been more important than they are today,” said moderator Kevin Whitworth. “For almost half a century, we relied on technology from the 1940s through the 1980s. It was handed down from one generation to the next, and a lot of training wasn’t required. But those days are gone.”

Keeping up with modern coach technology—emissions systems, sensors, and computer diagnostics—requires investment. “Our biggest downfall right now is emissions training—or lack of it,” Hotard said. “The sensor reliability is really poor. You can change a bad sensor, and three months later it fails again. The young guys aren’t scared of that technology, but we’ve got to invest in training them.”

Vendors like TEMSA, Mercedes, MCI, Prevost, and ABC offer training opportunities for drivers and technicians alike. Hotard encourages operators to get younger techs involved. “I used to rely too much on my senior guys. Now I’m reaching out to the younger ones. They’re not scared of it—they grew up with technology. We need to build that confidence in them.”

Sharing Knowledge Across Fleets

Collaboration helps smaller operators keep costs manageable. “If you’ve got a good relationship with a couple of different carriers in your area, work together,” Greteman said. “Ten or 12 guys is a good group for training. If you line it up ahead of time, it’s not as expensive as you think.”

Hands-on regional sessions can be highly effective. “Bring a bus that’s got a problem, not one that works,” Hotard advised. “Have the manufacturer’s trainer walk through the issue right there in your shop. Let the techs fix it while they’re learning.”

UMA’s Maintenance Interchange allows maintenance pros to share solutions and learn from each other. “The problems each company has, somebody else already had and came up with a solution,” Hotard said. “It’s just operators sharing what works. It’s a free exchange of information, and no question is dumb.”

Supporting the Next Generation

UMA also launched the Ring of Honor Scholarship for emerging maintenance professionals. “We’ve got to be training new people, new mechanics, to take over for some of these industry stalwarts,” said UMA President Scott Michael. “This is part of a broader push to highlight the value of maintenance professionals and encourage companies to invest in their growth.”

Greteman sums it up simply: “Training is not just for big companies. It can be scaled down, done online, or shared regionally. What matters is that we keep investing in our people. It’s not about one company. It’s about keeping this industry strong for the long haul.”

Image Source: Windstar Lines

Source: Bus and Motorcoach News