To Leonard Bus Sales Inc. officials, the recent opening of a sales and service facility in Garden City Park represents a big opportunity to represent school bus manufacturer Trans Tech exclusively on Long Island
“This is our first venture Downstate representing Trans Tech bus,” said Michael Leonard, president of Leonard Bus Sales. “We’re taking it to another level.”
Leonard said the company has a “unique” opportunity to establish a presence for Trans Tech school buses in what he sees as a “growth market” on Long Island and in New York City.
The 4,500-square-foot Leonard Bus facility at 202 Thorens Ave. in Garden City Park will provide parts and service for contractors who already provide service to area school districts with Trans Tech vehicles, which the company said are the only school buses produced in the state of New York.
“Our role is to support the company and the school districts to provide safe transport,” Leonard said. “In order to do that, we felt we needed a facility locally.”
The company currently maintains four Upstate facilities, he said.
Leonard said the buses represented by Leonard Bus Sales – Trans Tech’s SST, Roadstar and ST Aero – offer seating for 16 to 30 passengers. Phraner said Trans Tech also offers special-needs units equipped with wheelchair lifts and air conditioning.
John Phraner, president of Trans Tech, which builds its buses in Warwick, N.Y., said most contractors on Long Island use models similar to its compact Type A SST bus.
“You see more of the Type A’s then you do the larger models,” Phraner said.
He said Trans Tech has currently has a “small piece” of the Downstate market and expects to double its year-to-year sales this year with its new facility.
“It’s really pretty big for us. It’s a great fit for both companies,” Phraner said.
Brian Barrington, Trans Tech national sales manager, said the company’s vehicle’s meet specifications for the New York City school system. He said the company has never before had “good dealer coverage” on Long Island.
He said Trans Tech already has business relationships with Long Island school bus contractors including Suffolk Transportation, which has 300 Trans Tech vehicles. The company also already does business with school bus contracts Huntington Coach and Atlantic Express.
“It’s pretty exciting that the vehicles are made in New York,” said Greater New Hyde Park Chamber of Commerce President Mark Laytin.
Other local officials at Leonard Bus Sales grand opening event earlier this month included state Sen. Jack Martins, state Assemblyman Ed Ra and Nassau County Legislator Richard Nicolello.
“It’s great to see a business opening,” Ra said. “They’re working on something that’s personal to everyone in these communities.”
He said the compact Trans Tech buses afford school districts an opportunity to save money on transportation at a time when budgets are tight.
Reach reporter Richard Tedesco by e-mail at rtedesco@theislandnow.com or by phone at 516.307.1045 x204. Also follow us on Twitter @theislandnow and Facebook at facebook.com/theislandnow.
