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PR bus firm sold to staff
Published 11:24am Friday, January 11, 2013Christianson Bus Service was sold to a trio of employees effective the first of the year, which will allow the bus company to continue its present contract with the Pelican Rapids School District.
The company, which ran a fleet of 12 buses, had been owned by the Christianson family for about 43 years, according to The Press in Pelican Rapids, and was sold to Paul Restad, Mark Grefsrud and Troy Poach, who all worked for Christianson Bus Service in various capacities and have strong Pelican Rapids ties.
Grefsrud, a 1974 graduate of PRHS, started driving bus this year. He farms west of Pelican Rapids.
Poach is a 1981 graduate of PRHS, and had served as a mechanic for the former owner since 1984. He also drove bus.
Restad has worked as driver and dispatcher since his graduation from PRHS in 1974. He will continue to work on a limited basis as a real estate agent.
Restad and Poach will be the two full-time staff. The company employs 15, which includes several substitute drivers. No personnel changes are planned.
The company runs nine school bus routes that average about 40 miles per route. The contract with the school covers those routes, as well as bussing for sporting events and other after-school activities.
