Krapf buys New York bus company
Local operator grows with acquisition of Birnie Bus Service in central New York
Krapf Bus Companies nearly doubled the number of school buses it runs with its recent acquisition of a central New York bus operator.
The acquired company, Birnie Bus Service Inc. of Rome, N.Y., operates 1,000 vehicles, including school buses, transit and paratransit vehicles, and motorcoaches. With the purchase, Krapf will operate 2,500 school buses across four states: Pennsylvania, New York, Delaware and Virginia.
“It’s also a family-owned transportation company so it’s a great cultural fit,” said Jim Folkes, chief operating officer of Krapf. “Tim (Birnie, president and CEO of Birnie Bus) is 70 and he wanted to leave his company to a company with
similar values.
“We have a solid reputation, they contacted us,” Folkes said. “It’s a fairly sizable acquisition for us.”
The purchase price was not disclosed.
According to information provided by the companies, Birnie Bus transports more than 2 million passengers and travels over 700 million miles a year. It will become the largest division of Krapf Bus Cos. and brings to the company contracts with more than 70 school districts and preschools, as well as the transit, paratransit, and motorcoach operations. With the acquisition, the Krapf organization now employs more than 3,500 people.
“Birnie Bus is a great bus company and a great fit for us,” Blake Krapf, president and CEO of Krapf Bus Cos., said in the statement. “They are family-owned and run
like us. Their core values are much like ours. And they are widely recognized as being an excellent service provider. We are very proud to have them join the Krapf organization.”
“It is important to me that Birnie Bus is in good hands — including our customers, our employees and our reputation,” said Tim Birnie. “While I will be joining the Krapf board of directors in a more strategic role, I am delighted that the Krapfs will not only be taking charge, but will be taking Birnie to whole new levels of performance in the years ahead.”
The transaction, completed in mid-June, will not affect employees of Krapf in this area, Folkes added Monday.
Birnie Bus began in 1947 when Martin K. Birnie joined his brother-inlaw Martin J. Nunn, a local undertaker, to operate three school buses and two charter coaches. The business grew steadily over the years. Martin’s son, Tim Birnie, joined the family business in 1979, eventually leading the company to grow to its present size.
Krapf Bus Companies was founded in 1942 by George Krapf Jr. with two school buses. Krapf also operates charter buses, paratransit vehicles, and public transit routes in the greater southeastern Pennsylvania area.
“We expect a very bright future working together,” said Dale Krapf, chairman of the Krapf board of directors. “Birnie has a very strong management and employee team, a great customer base, and a fine reputation.”
Both school bus companies appeared on School Bus Fleet’s 2017 Top 50 Contractors list, with Krapf taking the No. 6 spot, and Birnie Bus at No. 17.