Martz Group
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| Martz Group | |
|---|---|
| Name | Martz Group |
| Type | Private |
| Industry | Transportation |
| Founded | 1908 |
| Founder | Frank Martz Sr. |
| Headquarters | Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania |
| Area served | Northeastern United States |
| Services | Intercity bus service, charter bus, commuter shuttle, motorcoach leasing |
Martz Group is a privately held transportation company headquartered in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, with operations concentrated in the Northeastern United States. Established in the early 20th century, the company developed from a regional express and parcel service into an intercity and charter motorcoach operator serving urban centers, suburban communities, and rural routes. Over its history the company has interfaced with regional transit authorities, private colleges, and long-distance operators, adapting equipment and service models in response to regulatory, economic, and technological changes.
History
Founded in 1908 by Frank Martz Sr., the company began as a local express and parcel carrier before expanding into passenger service in the 1920s. Early growth paralleled developments in automotive manufacturing and the proliferation of roadways such as the Pennsylvania Turnpike and Interstate 80 (Pennsylvania–New Jersey), which enabled longer intercity runs. During the mid-20th century the company navigated challenges posed by the rise of Air Canada and Pan American World Airways on long-distance travel, while competing regionally with carriers like Greyhound Lines and Peter Pan Bus Lines.
In the 1970s and 1980s regulatory shifts—spurred by cases before the Interstate Commerce Commission and policy changes affecting bus and motorcoach operators—required restructuring of routes and ticketing systems. Strategic partnerships with institutions such as Wilkes University, Penn State University, and municipal transit agencies helped maintain ridership through commuter and campus contracts. The company weathered economic cycles including the 2008 financial crisis and later adapted to the 2020s public health environment by revising cleaning protocols aligned with guidance from agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and coordinating with state departments of transportation in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York (state).
Services and Operations
The company provides scheduled intercity routes connecting regional hubs including New York City, Philadelphia, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and Scranton, Pennsylvania, alongside commuter shuttles serving suburban corridors and park-and-ride facilities. Services include charter motorcoach rentals for groups attending events at venues such as Madison Square Garden, MetLife Stadium, and universities like Lehigh University. The operator offers parcel and logistics services for small freight, historically paralleling operations of carriers such as United Parcel Service and FedEx in local markets.
Operational coordination often involves ticketing interoperability with digital platforms and third-party vendors including agencies similar to Amtrak station connections and regional transit hubs operated by authorities like the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. Contracts with corporate clients and colleges historically included scheduled campus shuttles for institutions such as Lafayette College and Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania. Seasonal services are provided for destinations tied to tourism and events, including excursions to locations such as Atlantic City and winter routes to ski areas in the Pocono Mountains.
Fleet
The fleet historically comprised a mix of motorcoaches and transit-style coaches from manufacturers including MCI (Motor Coach Industries), Prevost, and Van Hool. Vehicles include 35–56 seat coaches configured for long-distance comfort, along with smaller minibuses based on cutaway chassis. Over time the fleet has been updated to meet emissions standards from agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency and state environmental departments, incorporating diesel engines compliant with EPA tiers and exploring alternative powertrains.
Onboard amenities across models have included reclining seats, lavatories, luggage bays, Wi-Fi, and infotainment systems—paralleling offerings from national carriers such as Megabus—to remain competitive on intercity corridors. Fleet maintenance and overhauls are conducted at company-owned facilities and certified service centers, with parts and procurement relationships often involving suppliers similar to Allison Transmission and Cummins.
Corporate Structure and Ownership
The company remains privately held, with ownership tracing to descendants of the founding family and private investment partners. Corporate governance includes a board of directors and executive management overseeing divisions for operations, maintenance, sales, and compliance. The company has engaged in strategic alliances and occasional asset sales or acquisitions involving regional operators to optimize route networks and equipment utilization, analogous to mergers and acquisitions activity seen among regional carriers like Coach USA and Barons Bus Lines.
Relationships with municipal and state transportation agencies influence route authorization and funding, with contractual arrangements for subsidized commuter services and special event charters. Financial oversight has had to address capital-intensive investments in fleet renewal and regulatory compliance under frameworks shaped by entities such as the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
Safety Record and Incidents
The company’s safety protocols include driver training, vehicle inspections, and compliance reporting to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and state departments of transportation. Like many regional operators, the company has experienced incidents of varying severity over its long history; major incidents prompted internal reviews, revised training programs, and investments in safety technology such as electronic logging devices and collision mitigation systems. Investigations into serious accidents have involved agencies including state police and the National Transportation Safety Board when appropriate.
Public safety communications and insurance arrangements align with industry standards, and the company has pursued memberships in trade associations that promote best practices, similar to the American Bus Association and the United Motorcoach Association.
Community Involvement and Partnerships
Community engagement has included sponsorships, scholarship programs in cooperation with local colleges and high schools, and coordination with regional economic development organizations. Partnerships with institutions and event venues support group travel for cultural organizations like the Philadelphia Orchestra and sporting events featuring teams such as the New York Yankees or Pittsburgh Steelers when arranging fan transportation. The company has participated in regional transportation planning discussions alongside metropolitan planning organizations and transit authorities to improve connectivity for rural and suburban populations.