Unique local company celebrates seventh year of traveling
 

Ed Lonsbary and his wife Patty stand in front of their converted bus, Patty's Charm.

"We've tapped into the experience economy," claims Whitehouse resident and company president Ed Lonsbary as he celebrates the seventh anniversary of the founding of Private Motor Coach, Inc. "Travelers who come aboard my coach Patty's Charm live the RV lifestyle, reconnect with family and friends, visit extraordinary places and create fond memories they will cherish forever."

Wanderlust is in Ed Lonsbary's blood. He grew up and was educated in Ontario, Canada. In 1978, he immigrated to the United States. That wanderlust helped lead him to found Private Motor Coach, Inc. with his wife Patty when he retired from a 26-year corporate career.

In August 2001, he moved the company from Pittsburgh to Whitehouse to have the business centered between the Americas.

Since it's beginning on Jan. 25, 1999 in Pittsburgh, Penn., Private Motor Coach, Inc. has changed locales, but not what it offers to travelers--the opportunity to go "anywhere-anytime," in a luxury motor coach that is a "house-on-wheels."

Lonsbary received the United Motor Coach Association Vision Award of 2001 for innovation in the travel industry.

Lonsbary developed the concept of using a bus conversion motor home to take people on extended trips. The concept earned him the United Motor Coach Association Vision Award of 2001 for its innovation in the travel industry.

As the driver and host for each trip, Ed Lonsbary has traveled over 127,000 miles crisscrossing the United States and Canada.

"My most memorable trip took the Wierda family from Lincoln, Neb., to British Columbia via Oregon and Washington state. I also enjoyed traveling with Mimi Cocks who is from New York on three trips: Wyoming, Montana, South Dakota and Colorado (2001); Alaska and the Canadian Yukon, British Columbia and Alberta (Canada)(2003) and the U.S. Southwest (2005). Without me, they could not have made these trips because of health challenges," said Lonsbary.

Many of the trips with Private Motor Coach, Inc. occur because the travelers' choices are limited by physical or health complications that mean travel by air or car are not options.

Traveling the country can produce many memorable moments and lots of picture opportunities. An example of both came when one of Lonsbary's trips took him to Aladdin, Wyoming. The sign in the picture says Aladdin is a bustling place of 15 people and sits at an elevation of 3,740 feet above sea level.

"This is a niche market that I have been able to tap," observed Lonsbary, as he reflected on the 63 trips that have filled his years on the road.

With each trip, he sticks to his corporate goal: to offer a life long memorable travel experience, and to develop a lasting friendship with each and every traveler.

What does he do to reach that goal. He simply takes nice people "anywhere-anytime" there's a road to travel. Whether it's for leisure, business or special needs, Private Motor Coach, Inc. travelers ride in the comfort of a luxury motor coach bus conversion known as "Patty's Charm" which Lonsbary named for his wife.

"Patty's Charm" is outfitted like an RV, except that it is built inside a 40-foot long bus. Its features include a living room, kitchen, and private bathroom with shower, washer/dryer, a privated bedroom complete with a queen-sized bed, lots of storage, two televisions with DVD/VCR capability and satellite radio.

Lonsbary serves as the driver and escort.

Of his company's seven year run, he said, "Patty and I did it together and it's been fun!"

For 2006, Lonsbary plans to continue offering trips in North America.

Then in 2007, he'll make his way south and change his company's business focus.

"Patty and I intend to live in the motor coach full-time and travel through Central and South America. It will most likely take 3-5 years to complete the journey," he said. "Patty will write and chronicle the trip, via blogs, video/photography and develop content to write a book and travel guide to help future travelers negotiate the Southern Americas."

As a couple, they also have a dream to develop and produce a travel show based on the real life experiences of traveling the Southern Americas in an RV/bus conversion. Lonsbary will still do his thing...just head down the road and see what is around the corner and over the hill. Part of the travel show's format would be to take special guests along for the ride from time to time. "We will blend the fulltime RV lifestyle while continuing to provide travel experiences for all who have wanderlust in their hearts," Lonsbary said, in describing this show idea.

Lonsbary's dream of traveling might have remained just a dream without his ebullient optimism and his sense of adventure.

He offers the following advice to fellow dreamers who have an idea they want to follow through on but may be hesitant to do so.

"If you love what you do, you never have to work another day in your life."

"Be healthy, happy and meet your expenses."

"Never retire."

"It's just as dangerous to sit on the couch as it is to go for it!"

"Think globally."

"Don't listen to nay sayers."

"Don't be a sheep, take the lead."

"Be the owner, not the worker."

"If someone tells you that your idea is crazy or responds by saying 'Wow', then you are onto something good."

Lonsbary knows he's been on to something good for seven years now and he certainly isn't planning to retire.

Our motto is... "Anywhere - Anytime"