Bus line that wanted to replace Bieber looking for a buyer
Clydesdale Bus Lines, which started as a way to fill the void left by the closing of Bieber Transportation Group, is up for sale.
Owner Derek Sheldon posted an alert this week on the company’s website that he is looking for an owner to take over due to health reasons.
On Thursday, Sheldon declined to specify his illness.
“I need to make sure the service continues for the community,” he said.
The Berks County resident started the business in March, shortly after Bieber abruptly canceled its service, which included bus runs from the Lehigh Valley to Philadelphia. He said he is operating an 11-passenger shuttle bus with five employees.
Sheldon said he is confident the service will continue either under a new owner or with partners. He also blamed the difficulty in sustaining service thus far due to a lack of financial support from the public and private sectors.
Sheldon could not say how many Valley commuters used Clydesdale but acknowledged there were not many riders. He also said Clydesdale is operating under a “restrictive schedule.”
Bieber shut down without warning Feb. 8, leaving commuters stranded. Other transportation companies, including Clydesdale, have tried to fill the void for people who depend on buses to commute to New York, Philadelphia and elsewhere.
About 107,000 people live in the Lehigh Valley but work elsewhere, and 97,000 work in the Lehigh Valley but live elsewhere, according to a recent Lehigh Valley Planning Commission report based on census data
Morning Call reporter Anthony Salamone can be reached at 610-820-6694 or asalamone@ mcall.com.