• Fleet Size – 5 motorcoaches and 38 school buses
Rill ’ s Bus Service is a four-generation , family-owned and operated school bus and motorcoach business located in Westminster , Maryland . The business , owned by Paul and the late Anna Rill , began in 1968 when they purchased their first school bus to transport students to and from Carroll County Public Schools to supplement their farming income . In 1984 , the business added their first motorcoach to their growing fleet for charter trips and company tours . The company now operates 5 MCI motorcoaches and 38 school buses providing transportation for a wide variety of needs , including but not limited to , regular public-school routes , sports , field trips , shuttles , special events , retail tours , and charter trips for groups including senior centers , colleges , churches , & other social / community organizations .
The Rill ’ s daughters represent the second generation - Dianne Grote ( operations manager ) & Doreen Reger ( dispatcher ). The third generation of the Rill family working in the business include Dianne ’ s three daughters – Lauren Grote ( group travel planner / administrative ), Rochelle Grote and Selina Salas ( school bus drivers / administrative ). And the fourth generation , ranging in ages from 3-23 , are currently growing up in the business , helping with various duties .
Lauren ’ s passion for the bus industry began at a very early age as she grew up traveling around the United States and Eastern Canada with her parents and sisters onboard Rill ’ s retail motorcoach tours ; rode Rill ’ s school buses daily to school ; and attended Maryland Motorcoach Association conferences with her grandmother , Anna . As a young teenager , she helped out waxing school buses during summer break . Lauren officially began working for the company in April 1997 performing basic secretarial duties in the office alongside her mom and aunt , while caring for her newborn daughter and completing school courses . For 12 years , she worked a second job waitressing at a local restaurant until her grandmother “ passed on the torch ” for her to lead Rill ’ s retail trips as travel coordinator . Growing up on these tours and learning admirable traits from her family , Lauren was honored and quickly fell into her new role accompanying both day and short overnight tours with retail passengers . As a result , her love for travel grew even more , and she started creating the company ’ s group tour packages with the desire to offer their customers memorable experiences with a personable touch . Realizing the importance of networking in the industry , she began building long-lasting relationships with customers , fellow operators , and suppliers . In 2010 , she proudly completed the American Bus Association ’ s CTIS program . Lauren is currently the secretary of Maryland
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Motorcoach Association and sits on their legislative committee . “ It ’ s rewarding that my relationship with MMA has come full circle now , from growing up going to their conferences , and now awarded the opportunity to sit on the Board with such a wonderful group of people .” Of course , with a family business , you tend to do a little bit of everything , and Rill ’ s is no exception . In addition to escorting and creating tours , Lauren also shares in other business duties including marketing , payroll / accounting , customer outreach , legislative issues , and attending conferences .
Working & growing up in the family bus business over the years has taught Lauren the importance of both family and hard work . Lauren is very thankful that each of her three daughters – Nikkea , Ariana , and Angelina – were by her side daily as she worked , growing up in the business , just like her mother was able to do with her . “ I didn ’ t have to put my kids in daycare , they were able to be with me every day .” She is also thankful that her fiance , Tyran , and daughters are able to occasionally travel with her just as her family had done when she was young .
Lauren truly enjoys her job , takes great pride in her family ’ s business , and is thankful for the opportunity to be a part of such a great network . She values the relationships that are built with passengers , employees , suppliers , and industry friends , and realizes the extensive impact that the bus industry holds . During this time of COVID-19 , the bus industry has faced many daunting challenges , so instead of her usual duties , Lauren has been spending her time being educated about COVID and policies , joining the legislative petitions for CERTS Act and advocating for the bus industry , participating in many travel industry virtual meetings , and thinking outside of the box to get the wheels on the buses rolling again . She is in awe and forever grateful of the support shown throughout this resilient industry , coming together as one to survive the shutdown caused by the pandemic .
Lauren is confident that the industry will eventually bounce back and prays for its continued survival . She looks forward to getting back on the road with Rill ’ s precious cargo and awesome drivers , traveling and creating memories that will last a lifetime , and anxious to resume in-person conferences to network with her beloved industry partners . Rill ’ s Bus Service can ’ t wait to get back in the full swing of what they have been doing best for over 53 years ... providing safe , quality transportation for countless groups and people from all walks of life . Lauren ’ s ultimate goal is to preserve and continue her grandparents ’ legacy for many years to come .