Private Motor Coach Inc.

“We’ve tapped into the experience economy,” claims President Ed Lonsbary as he celebrates the seventh anniversary of the founding of Private Motor Coach, Inc. “Travelers who come aboard my coach Patty’s Charm live the RV lifestyle, reconnect with family and friends, visit extraordinary places and create fond memories they will cherish forever.”

Since it’s beginning on January 25, 1999 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Private Motor Coach, Inc. has offered travelers the opportunity to go “Anywhere-Anytime”, in a luxury motor coach that is a “house-on-wheels.” Ed Lonsbary developed the concept of using a bus conversion motor home to take people on extended trips. The concept earned him the United Motor Coach Association Vision Award of 2001 for its innovation in the travel industry. See: http://www.privatemotorcoach.com/visionawardpage.htm

As the driver and host for each trip, Ed Lonsbary has traveled over 127,000 miles crisscrossing the United States and Canada. “My most memorable trip took the Wierda Family from Lincoln, NE to British Columbia, via Oregon and Washington State. I also enjoyed traveling with Mimi Cocks who is from New York on three trips: Wyoming, Montana, SD and CO (2001), Alaska and the Canadian Yukon, BC and Alberta (2003) and the US Southwest (2005). Without me, they could not have made these trips because of health challenges,” says Lonsbary.

Many of the trips with Private Motor Coach, Inc. occur because the travelers’ choices are limited by physical or health complications that mean travel by air or car are not options. “This is a niche market that I have been able to tap,” observes Lonsbary as he reflects on the 63 trips that have filled his seven years on the road.

Lonsbary’s idea blossomed from his own wanderlust and he sticks to his corporate goal: “To offer a life long memorable travel experience, and to develop a lasting friendship with each and every traveler.” What does he do? He simply takes nice people “Anywhere-Anytime” there’s a road to travel. Whether it’s for leisure, business or special needs, Private Motor Coach, Inc. travelers ride in the comfort of a luxury motor coach bus conversion known as “Patty’s Charm” which Lonsbary named for his wife.

“Patty’s Charm” is outfitted like a RV built inside a 40-foot long bus. Features include: a living room, kitchen, and private bathroom with shower, washer/dryer, and queen-sized bed in a private bedroom, lots of storage, televisions with DVD/VCR capability and satellite radio. Lonsbary serves as the driver and escort. Seven years later Lonsbary says, “Patty and I did it together and it’s been fun!”

Lonsbary founded Private Motor Coach, Inc. with his wife Patty when he retired from a 26-year corporate career. In August 2001, he moved the company from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to Whitehouse, Texas to have the business centered between the Americas.

For 2006, Lonsbary plans to continue offering trips in North America then in 2007 make his way south and change the business focus. “Patty and I intend to live in the motor coach full time and travel through Central and South America. It will most likely take 3-5 years to complete the journey. Patty will write and chronicle the trip, via blogs, video/photography and develop content to write a book and travel guide to help future travelers negotiate the Southern Americas.”

As a couple they also have a dream to develop and produce a travel show based on the real life experiences of traveling the Southern Americas in a RV/bus conversion. Ed will still do his thing…just head down the road and see what is around the corner and over the hill. Comments Lonsbary, “We also plan to take special guests with us from time to time. We will blend the fulltime RV lifestyle while continuing to provide travel experiences for all who have wanderlust in their hearts.”

Lonsbary’s Advice

• “If you love what you do, you never have to work another day in your life.”

• “Be healthy, happy and meet your expenses.”

• “Never retire.”

• “It’s just as dangerous to sit on the couch as it is to go for it!”

• “Think globally.”

• “Don’t listen to nay Sayers.”

• “Don’t be a sheep, take the lead.”

• “Be the owner, not the worker.”

• “If someone tells you that your idea is crazy or responds by saying ‘Wow’, then you are onto something good.”

• “Whoever is first in the field and awaits the coming of the enemy will be fresh for the fight. Whoever if second in the field and has to hasten to battle will arrive exhausted.” The Art of War, by Sun Tzu

About Ed Lonsbary

• Attended elementary school in a one-room school house in Salford, Ontario.

• Manufacturing Technology degree, Fanshawe College (’72), London, Ontario, where he played hockey and helped manage the team.

• Immigrated to the United States from Canada in 1978.

• Founder of Private Motor Coach, Inc. in 1999 after a 26-year career of engineering design/research & development in both metals and plastics and later marketing.

• Companies in his corporate career: Eaton/Timberjack, Wajax, Jacuzzi, Dupont, Dow Chemical, Bayer A. G.

• Avid reader of books and articles on business, entrepreneurship, and baby-boomer demographics.

• On Ed’s reading list: Boom, Bust, & Echo 2000 by David K. Foot, The 22 Immutable Laws of Marketing, by Al Ries, The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell.

• Clears his head by taking to the road in “Patty’s Charm” or by cutting wood.

• Loves big equipment, reads USA Today each morning.