Since 1914, the Michaud Family has had an unwavering dedication to public transportation.
In 1914 Eudger J. "Mike" Michaud purchased a Ford Model T
Jitney, and began operating regular route service on Boston's North
Shore. By the late 1920's Mike had moved into a new location at 250
Jefferson Ave. Salem, Massachusetts and expanded his fleet to include
some REO's and a few White Buses as well.
1948 began a new chapter in Michaud Bus Lines' history as J. Alex
Michaud retired from the U.S. Navy, as a full Commander, to take the
helm of the company that owned six buses and had minimal operating
authority. "Alex", realizing the importance of operating authority,
worked diligently on obtaining more rights through the purchase of
other bus companies, and by pioneering the first ever "round-trip
special" tour authority. This, combined with the safest, cleanest,
well-maintained
fleet of modern coaches, helped Michaud Bus Lines to become one of
America's most respected charter and tour operators. With the help of
his sons Jay, Spike, Biff and Gig, Alex built Michaud Bus Lines, Inc. to
40 motorcoaches, 55 transits, and 440 school buses, operating regular
route service, thousands of charters and more than
1,500 escorted tours per year throughout the 49 states, Canada and Mexico.
After graduating from college in 1964
with a degree in mechanical engineering, Alex's second son, James R.
"Spike" Michaud was entrusted with the position of Superintendent
of Maintenance and Safety for Michaud Bus Lines. The title Vice President
of Maintenance and Operations was awarded to Spike in 1970. He served
on the Board of Directors of the New England Bus Association, Eastern
Bus Maintenance Management Conference, and the New England Passenger
Transportation Association. His maintenance and operations position
also led to the buying and selling of new and used coaches as the company
fleet grew. The experience and respect he received in the bus industry
helped Spike to become extremely successful in the bus sales division
of Michaud Bus Lines, Inc.
In 1991, Spike decided to branch off
on his own, creating Michaud Bus Sales, Inc. He concentrated on selling
quality pre-owned equipment to include inter-city coaches, conversion
coaches, minibuses, and transits. In 1997, his son Jim joined the company
and together they grew to be one of the largest independently owned
bus sales companies in the country.
Through the years, Spike also provided
professional appraisals for bus companies as well as banks and leasing
companies throughout the United States.
As busy as he was selling buses, Spike
was hired more and more for his appraisal services. Time and again,
his knowledge and expertise has been called upon and time and again,
he has proven to be extremely accurate, with a keen sense for future
projections. Realizing this need for expert appraisal services
in the bus industry, Spike has decided to focus strictly on servicing
the industry in this capacity.
Today, the tradition continues.
As of January 2010, Spike has started this new company;
Michaud Bus Appraisals, LLC.