PRESS & MEDIA

Academy Bus, the largest privately owned and operated ground transportation company in the United States, will recognize hundreds of drivers for excellence in safety and customer service in the coming weeks. The formal recognition program, now in its 31st year, rewards and recognizes drivers for their dedication and embodiment of Academy’s safety standards and corporate values. Of the honorees, a handful of drivers will be recognized for more than 20 years of service, with many more acknowledged for reaching service milestones of five, 10, and 15 years with the company.

“As an organization committed to delivering safe, reliable, and customer-centric transportation services, Academy Bus regularly recognizes our bus drivers and support staff that play a pivotal role in our success,” said Francis Tedesco, President and CEO of Academy Bus. “The Frank A. Tedesco Driver Recognition Awards are a celebration of the values and ideals on which Academy Bus was founded and we offer our sincerest congratulations to all the honorees for delivering outstanding service, impeccable safety, and their dedication to the Academy team and our riders.”

The Frank A. Tedesco Driver Recognition Awards at Academy Bus were born out of the family values on which the company was founded. These honors recognize the commitment and professionalism of the men and women behind the wheel and aptly reflect the man for whom they are named. Affectionately called Mr. T, Frank Tedesco engaged his knowledge, passion, and energy to create this company from a single bus purchased by his father Pasquale in the early 1930’s.

The company continues to prioritize employee satisfaction and well-being, as it has since the company’s early days. For several decades leading up to the COVID-19 pandemic, Academy Bus held in-person ceremonies, within its array of geographical markets, for drivers who achieved service milestones and safety standards set by the company, and will return to that format. Today, the culture of appreciation and respect continues to be a central tenet of operations. In the midst of a current driver shortage in the industry, Academy’s retention strategy has helped it maintain a large number of dedicated drivers.

Statistics demonstrate that when employees feel appreciated at work, the benefits extend to the whole company. A recent study by the University of Albany suggested that infusing more meaning into bus driving is a promising solution to the nationwide driver shortage. The research suggests that formalized recognition programs, spotlighting drivers in opening day ceremonies, along with other improvements in corporate and employee culture, lead to increased retention rates.

Officially incorporated in 1968, Frank Tedesco grew Academy Bus into a viable and competitive transportation business. As the company expanded, it moved its location to Hoboken, New Jersey. Today, Francis and Mark Tedesco manage the group of Academy companies. With a fleet of more than 1,000 top-of-the-line motor coaches, 20+ operating locations along the eastern seaboard, and more than 2,000 employees, Academy is the largest privately owned motor coach operator in North America.

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About Academy Bus

Based in Hoboken, N.J., Academy is the largest private carrier in New Jersey and the largest privately owned and operated motor coach company in the United States. Utilizing almost 1,100 top-quality buses, across 20+ markets from Boston to Miami, the company maintains a diverse set of service offerings in charter, commuter and casino operations. Whether moving 20 or 20,000, Academy has the expertise to satisfy every customer. For more information on Academy please visit www.academybus.com.