Being in business since 1928 is a remarkable accomplishment. Luke Busskohl, president and CEO of Arrow Stage Lines, headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, attributes the company’s longevity to his team members’ unwavering commitment to the mission. For Arrow Stage Lines the mission is to provide safe, comfortable and reliable charter bus transportation that exceeds the expectations of its customers on every trip. Busskohl shared his insights on group motorcoach travel and his company’s vision: to be viewed as the world-class standard of customer care and service by customers and peers.
Q. How did you get started in the tour business?
A. I have worked with Arrow Stage Lines for 23 years. I started as a driver and worked my way up to CEO by serving in all the aspects of the business.
Q. What is your favorite part of your job?
A. The people I get to work with every day. I tell our team that we are in the people business and just happen to provide motorcoach service.
Q. How can group planners benefit from partnering with Arrow Stage Lines?
A. Whether planning a daytrip for a small group or traveling overnight, they can trust Arrow Stage Lines for a fun and safe experience. Tour groups are comfortable in our clean, reliable motorcoaches, which enhance the overall travel experience. Planners can rest assured their groups will experience timeliness in all we do, a defect-free product and superior customer service. We handle it all, from finding convenient parking to watching the clock to making sure every traveler arrives safely.
Arrow Stage Lines knows there is a lot to think about when choosing a motorcoach company so we have developed tools, like our Six questions to ask to ensure your trip is successful booklet, for planners to help them travel with confidence.
Q. Do you have any key advice to tour planners just starting out in the group tour business?
A. Go for it! There is a lot of opportunity to grow and innovate the industry!
Q. Arrow Stage Lines has a program called “Hero Project.” Tell me a little about the program, what inspired it, how does it impact your partnerships?
A. The Hero Project is one of the ways we give back. We began by partnering with Charity Water with the goal to bring clean, safe drinking water to people in developing countries. We did this by donating a percentage of our profits on every charter we operated. Right now, we are partnered with Busing On The Lookout to help eliminate human trafficking by raising awareness and education to recognize signs of this horrible crime. As members of the motorcoach industry, we are well positioned to recognize the signs of trafficking and assist law enforcement in recovering victims and arresting traffickers.
Q. Are there other practices Arrow Stage Lines follows that impact the community at large?
A. We are a green company. Our sustainability philosophy begins with a strict maintenance schedule for our fleet of over 250 vehicles, supported by an idle-free education program. Because our fleet is made up of mainly newer coach models with advanced engine technology, we experience increased fuel savings and lower emission goals. And we extend our green practices throughout the business from administrative functions to recycling.
Q. What is the next big thing for Arrow Stage Lines?
A. We focus on being safe, humble, hungry (always growing) and people smart. We see big things coming around safety training, organizational growth, technology and working with elite team members.
Luke Busskohl
President and CEO
Arrow Stage Lines
402.475.9229
