Years of Progress…
Bill Rohrbaugh's Charter Service, Inc.

May 30, 1972 – Bill & Nancy Rohrbaugh purchase “Smith Bus Service, Inc.” gaining four motor coaches, limited MD Public Service Commission Intrastate route authority, Interstate Commerce Commission route and charter authority, thus creating the beginning of a new business to be known as Bill Rohrbaugh’s Charter Service, Inc.

1974 – A second purchase of “Hess Bus Service” adds one motor coach and additional Intrastate and Interstate route and charter authority, including the right to sell tours to individuals in eleven states.

1976 - Expansion into a contractor for school bus route service adds five school buses.

1977 – Purchased first new 47 passenger GM coach.

1978 – Purchased “Clydes Charter Bus Service,” with Interstate charter authority for the Gettysburg, Baltimore route, also adding MD Intrastate, Interstate authority and Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission route authority and increasing the fleet to ten motor coaches.

1982 – Began operation of Rohrbaugh’s first Atlantic City Casino Line Run to Resorts Casino. Become the first company in Maryland to install the highly diversified Versyss computer system for transportation companies. It is now used by at least seven other motor coach companies in Maryland.

Fleet increased to fourteen motor coaches. Purchased first new Prevost motor coach and decided to purchase only that fine motor coach in the future.

1983 – Applied for and received Interstate charter and individual tour authority for pick up and drop off anywhere in the USA.

1984 – Joined the National Motorcoach Marketing Network as the official Maryland Carrier for this nationwide organization. From Huber’s Bus Service, obtained Interstate and Maryland Intrastate route authority from Gettysburg to Hanover, PA to Baltimore. Applied for and received limited charter and special operations authority from PA Public Utility Commission in Adams and York Counties, PA.

1985 – Established operation of a full service travel agency.

1986 – Entered into a contract with State Aviation Administration to provide call-and-demand service to and from Carroll County and Northern Baltimore County.

1987 – Bill and Nancy Rohrbaugh escort their first group tour to Hawaii, and continued this trip for the next ten years.

1988 – Purchased Weiland Tours on East Monument Street in Baltimore, MD, establishing the branch location as “Rohrbaugh’s Tours” and offering all tour and travel agency services, plus adding International Receptive Services.

1989 – Gained Washington Metropolitan Transport Commission Authority to transport groups locally in the Washington D.C. area. Installed two-way radios in all vehicles except school buses. Established a branch charter office in Crownsville, MD where all multi-day charters are planned.

Bill and Nancy escort the first group tour to Alaska, and continue that trip for the next seven years.

1992 – Purchased the tour program from Monumental Motor Tours when they ceased operations, adding 10,000 client names to Rohrbaugh’s 11,500 client list. Moved the Baltimore City branch office to the Belair Beltway Plaza Shopping Center at Exit 32A off the 695 Baltimore Beltway.

1994 – Purchased two new 47 passenger Prevost motor coaches, replacing older ones.

1995 – Purchased 2 additional new 47 passenger Prevost coaches replacing older ones. Expanded daily service to Resorts Casino in Atlantic City, NJ to 14 runs per week, with some originating in Pennsylvania.

1996 – Had in-house staff trained and certified by Lancer Insurance Company to provide comprehensive driver training for applicants who do or do not have, a CDL license. The trainers also
are qualified to conduct re-certification training for current drivers, investigate accident reports and assist management with policy issues.

1997 – Two new 55 passenger Prevost motor coaches are added to the fleet. Upgrades and additions have expanded the fleet to eighteen Prevost motor coaches, two Lincoln Town Cars, one Mercedes-Benz, twenty school buses and two fourteen passenger vans.

1998 – 2003
• Rohrbaugh’s continues to upgrade the motor coach fleet with newer units including six 55-passenger luxury coaches, for a current total of 19 motor coaches.

• The two-way radios in the motor coaches have been replaced with cell phones. All school bus drivers also carry cell phones while on the buses.

• School bus fleet now numbers 35 buses and over 50 trained and certified school bus drivers.

• Rohrbaugh’s Travel Agency has built a partnership with Trieloff Tours creating an expansion of local group departures into many different and interesting areas in the USA. For example, the California Trains Tour which elicited high response when first advertised. The travel agency also has had success with booking trips such as the Mississippi Queen, and the unique trips which explore America’s waterways on luxury barges. The agency airline computer system has been upgraded to utilize more internet services.

• A partnership has been formed with Carroll Community College whereby the college advertises our motor coach driving classes in their catalog. Interested applicants complete a college registration for the course and are provided with certificates and continuing education credits upon completion of the training program.

• Driver safety continues to be increased through education, driving skill re-certification, on-site and off-site workshops and seminars. Plus, Rohrbaugh’s trainers provide thorough follow-up after even minor incidents.

• Rohrbaugh’s safety ratings continue to be excellent!

2004 –

• Driver Standards were incorporated into our safety program. These are strict requirements for driver eligibility and retention. Criteria must be met on a continual basis to stay employed.

• A program of continued education was formulated by adding mandatory driver training classes twice per year.

• Office computer technology was upgraded adding quicker access and more user friendly programs.

2006 – The school bus part of Bill Rohrbaugh’s Charter Service was sold to F&S Transportation of Manchester, PA in August 2006. Thirty four school buses and thirty six school bus drivers were transferred to F&S Transporation for the beginning of school on August 28, 2006. The school bus operation continues from Rohrbaugh’s location. An office for the F&S school bus supervisor was established in our building, and maintenance services are provided by Rohrbaugh’s mechanics.

2007 – With all the motorcoach companies out there, it is challenging to keep a competitive edge. So when the 2007 Baseball Hall of Fame announced Cal Ripken’s induction, the Rohrbaugh team went to work. When snow was still on the ground in Cooperstown in March 2007 Bill and Nancy Rohrbaugh took a motorcoach, a driver and group of employees, including trip planners and fleet operations staff to Cooperstown to scope out the situation. This was an invaluable step in planning for the 14 motorcoaches and 700 people the company ended up taking to the induction. They we able to pre-arrange parking, accommodations, meals and visits to the Hall of Fame Museum.

As the official transportation service for Ripken’s Ironbird’s, it was easy to say “Yes” when the Ripken employees requested permission to have one of our motorcoaches “wrapped”. Not only did Rohrbaugh’s get great TV and print coverage after the bus was decked out in it’s black and orange wrap, they also had a rolling billboard with Ripken’s name all the way to Cooperstown. The wrap will stay on about 18 months, and passengers are still delighted when they see that bus rolling up.