Editors note: This is a special post from our CEO, Michael Rogers.
The moment everything stopped, I saw everything clearly.
When COVID-19 shut down my motorcoach company in 2020, I found myself with something I hadn’t had in 20+ years: time to think. For the first time since buying my first 15-passenger bus at the age of 26, the daily grind came to a halt.
And here’s what surprised me most—I didn’t miss it.
The Industry I Love, The Problems I Couldn’t Ignore
I’ve been in the motorcoach industry since 1996. I built my first company website in 1997, complete with a simple “get quote” form. Fast forward to 2025, and the vast majority of motorcoach operators still use the same approach.
Meanwhile, online brokers continue to dominate search results, relegating local operators to page 2 of Google, which means they are practically non-existent.
The booking experience? Painful. Customers fill out the same static forms repeatedly, make multiple phone calls, send countless emails—and often end up booking with brokers, losing control and transparency in the process.
The “Why Not Me?” Moment
Living in Seattle (tech capital), having built a motorcoach company from scratch, and always being tech-forward, I realized I was uniquely positioned to help solve this.
My solution wasn’t revolutionary—it was evolutionary. Take the Airbnb model and adapt it for motorcoaches. Build a platform that aggregates hard-to-find local bus operators, allowing customers to easily compare them by price, ratings, and amenities, and then book seamlessly on one platform.
What We’re Building at Buslane
- For customers: A one-stop shop with transparent pricing, verified reviews, and a modern booking experience backed by the Buslane platform.
- For operators: A new sales channel that generates revenue opportunities while automating quotes, follow-ups, and payments.
- For the industry: A single platform where customers anywhere in the world can easily find and book charter buses from local operators.
Looking Forward
The future I envision? No more static quote forms, faxed credit card authorizations, endless email chains, or waiting on checks. These will be as outdated as rotary phones.
We’re not just building a platform—we’re modernizing an industry.
The motorcoach industry deserves better tools. Customers deserve a better experience. And operators deserve to focus on what they do best: delivering exceptional service.
That’s why Buslane exists. That’s why we’re excited about the future.
Michael Rogers
Founder | CEO
