Family-owned Johnson School Bus to be sold

Johnson School Bus Service, which has been transporting area students for generations, announced last week that it is being purchased by Landmark Student Transportation.

A third-generation, family-owned business since 1942, the company serves students in the Port Washington-Saukville and Cedar Grove-Belgium school districts.

In a letter sent to school districts and customers last week, the Johnson family thanked the local communities for the support.

“After more than 77 years of family ownership, the third generation has made the difficult decision to sell the family business. Like all business owners, there comes a time to retire and begin enjoying the benefits of a long, successful career,” the letter stated.

Company President Steven Johnson said the sale will be finalized by the end of the month.

Specialized Transport Services, a subsidiary of Johnson Bus that provides shared ride taxi services for Ozaukee and Washington counties, will also be acquired by Landmark.

Johnson said Landmark will retain the Johnson Bus and Specialized Transport Services names.

Landmark is a privately owned company based out of Aurora, Canada, with U.S. headquarters in Dousman. The company also owns Dousman Transport and Stratton Transport in Fond du Lac.

In operation since 2011, Landmark oversees individually branded school bus companies in Wisconsin, Idaho, Missouri, Oregon, Pennsylvania, New York and Ontario.

Port Washington Terminal Manager Mike Gross said he expects the transition to be smooth for the station’s 36 bus drivers.

“They expect very few changes, and it should be a seamless transition,” Gross said. “If anything, Landmark is a bigger company that will offer a lot more resources to us when we need it.”

Johnson Bus was founded by Aaron W. Johnson when he converted a milk truck and two logging trucks into West Bend’s first school buses. The business grew under the direction of his children Chuck and Dianne Johnson and further expanded with Chuck’s children Steven and Dan Johnson and Judy Holzmann.

The business operates a fleet of 500 buses and 11 terminal locations serving 14 school districts in southeastern Wisconsin. The company employs 500 part-time and 50 full-time employees. Johnson said Landmark will maintain the current capacities at each location.

He also said he and his siblings will be advisors for Landmark to provide local insight and expertise during the transition.

“Moving forward, the new relationships that will be built will benefit everyone, especially the students that we deliver to and from school safely each day,” he said.

In a press release, the Johnson family said the transition is bittersweet.

“It has been our life’s work to provide safe transportation to children entrusted in our care. We cherish the memories and the relationships that were built over the years,” the Johnson family said.

Johnson Bus headquarters are in West Bend.