History

Anderson Coach & Travel — Our Story

A Journey That Started in 1937

Anderson Coach & Travel began with a simple idea and a big heart. In 1937, O.D. Anderson, a boy from rural Mercer, PA, noticed a need in his community: children had no reliable transportation to their one-room schoolhouse. To solve that problem, he converted an old panel truck into a makeshift bus and began transporting students. It was on the very first trip that his path crossed with Dorotha “Dot” Elder, a teacher who would become his wife and lifelong partner in both family and business.

“Dad always said he fell in love on his first bus trip…” — Sue Anderson Nicklin

From School Bus to Sightseeing Tours

By the early 1940s, Anderson had expanded from school transportation into weekend sightseeing trips, taking local families to Pittsburgh for ballgames, museums, and city adventures, experiences many had never seen before. Their first charter coach arrived in 1948, marking the beginning of a new era for the company with motorcoach travel.

Growing Across Generations

Throughout the 1950s and beyond, the Anderson family grew alongside the business. O.D. and Dot raised four children, Karen, Lyle, Sue, and Doug, right in the heart of the company. The family home became part of the office complex, with their childhood living room eventually serving as Doug’s executive office.

Today, the second and third generations of Andersons lead the company, continuing the family legacy with the same values of dedication, service, and adventure that started it all.

Expanding Services and Nationwide Reach

From its early beginnings, Anderson Coach & Travel has grown into a trusted provider of travel solutions, offering:

• Charter bus services across Pennsylvania, Ohio, New York, and beyond
• Individual vacation tours to 150+ destinations in the U.S. and Canada
• Group sightseeing tours tailored for clubs, churches, schools, and organizations
• School bus contracting services for districts throughout northwest Pennsylvania and northeast Ohio

Because of this broad service range, hundreds of thousands of travelers choose Anderson each year to explore new places and create lasting memories on board our luxury motorcoach fleet.

Innovation, Resilience & Modern Growth

Through every decade, Anderson has balanced tradition with progress. The company constantly reinvests in its fleet, including state-of-the-art motorcoaches equipped with modern amenities like ergonomic seating, USB/110V outlets, ADA accessibility, and industry-leading safety features.

Even during industry challenges, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, Anderson remained committed to its mission, brought new vehicles into service, and continued to grow while prioritizing guest comfort and safety.

Legacy & Culture

Though the business has expanded far beyond its humble beginnings, the heart of Anderson Coach & Travel remains rooted in family, service, and community. Each year, staff celebrate “Founders Day” in honor of O.D. and Dot Anderson, a tradition that reflects the company’s ongoing commitment to excellence.

“Be proud to be an American. We live in the best country in the world. Nowhere on this earth will you find more beauty in people or land.”
— O.D. Anderson (1916–1990)