AVONMORE – Roxborough Bus Lines, an Ontario leader in passenger transportation, announced it has finalized its acquisition of 417 Bus Line Limited, a family owned and operated Ontario-based transportation business.
Nick McRae, president of Roxborough Bus Line Ltd. said, “417 Bus Line is an extraordinary company, with an amazing team and fleet of vehicles.” McRae believes the acquisition will result in a higher level of service and availability of services in the Ontario market.
“This strategic acquisition will bring added capabilities to our school bus division as well as add motor coaches to our product, offering, enabling our customers more options across our charter transportation services,” said McRae.
The decision is good for both parties. Yvon Laplante, the president of, 417 Bus Lines Limited said, “Today marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for 417 Bus Line Ltd., one where we will be able to accelerate our mission and help more clients than ever with outstanding service. We are excited to be joining the Roxborough Bus Lines family that has shared values and philosophies.”
A press release announcing the acquisition stated, “Roxborough will be welcoming all existing 417 Bus Line staff, including bus and coach drivers, mechanics and technicians, operations staff, and leadership. The company will also take over operations of the cutting-edge facility in Casselman, Ontario.”
The acquisition of 417 Bus Line Limited will see Roxborough Bus Line Ltd. expand by 220 team members and 230 vehicles, including 25 coach buses.
Roxborough Bus Line Ltd. was founded in 1959 by Duncan McRae and Bernard Villeneuve. The two started out with just one school bus. The company has now grown to close to 900 buses and vans covering Eastern Ontario. Over the years it has remained a family operated business with each of Duncan and Bernard’s sons, Daryl McRae and George Villeneuve carrying on the company business. In 2008, Nick McRae and Blaine Filion joined the ownership group and have taken an aggressive approach to growing the business into new markets.
Roxborough Bus Lines has acquired numerous companies since its establishment and currently operates facilities in Avonmore, Alexandria, Clarence Creek, Greely, Madoc and now Casselman and has grown to over 820 employees covering Eastern Ontario and the City of Ottawa.
Roxborough Bus Lines is committed to providing safe, effective, efficient, and healthy home to school transportation to more than 170 schools in Ontario. The company not only provides school bus service to students but to adults as well for a wide variety of occasions.
417 Bus Line has a proud history as a family-owned and operated company. It was founded in 1958 by Jean-Paul Laplante. The company was first known as Laplante Bus Lines, then Casselman Bus Line, before incorporating in 1974 as 417 Bus Line Limited. Jean-Paul’s sons, Yvon, Marc, Mario, and Gilles took over leadership in 1993. They have built on their father’s legacy, further developing the family-centric culture. They offer a full range of passenger transportation options from school buses to 56 passenger motor coaches that operate across North America.
Joseph Morin is the Editor of the Eastern Ontario AgriNews, and the Record. He is, despite years of practice, determined to eventually play the guitar properly. He has served the Eastern Ontario community as a news editor, and journalist for the past 25 years with the Iroquois Chieftain, Kemptville Advance, West Carleton Review, and Ottawa Carleton Review in Manotick. He has never met a book he did not like.
