Hudson Bus: Dependable, friendly

By Deborah Conway
Freelance Writer / Photographer

A trip down Bartlett Street in Lewiston might bring you to the Italian Bakery for a tasty treat, to the Colisee for some exciting ice-time, or to the Lewiston Mall for other necessities, but it also brings you to Hudson Bus Lines. Although you may never have noticed Hudson Bus Lines, tucked quietly into its Bartlett Street neighborhood, with its rows of shiny yellow buses, if you live in the Lewiston-Auburn area, chances are good that you have made use of its services.
Providing safe and dependable twice-daily transportation to almost 3,000 Lewiston schoolchildren and some Auburn students, Hudson has been an important “behind-the-scenes” member of the Lewiston cast for almost 60 years. Founded by Ken Hudson, Sr., Hudson Bus Lines was purchased by Student Transportation of America about three years ago, and is presently the fourth largest student bus contractor in the United States.
In addition to transportation to and from school, Hudson provides transportation for field trips, athletic events, and other school outings involving travel. Hudson also provides transportation services to daycare facilities and summer camps. With its strong sense of community, Hudson has donated buses to assist St. Mary’s Food Pantry with its annual food drive, and has worked closely with some local nursing homes to develop emergency evacuation plans.
Todd McCollough, general manager of Hudson Bus Lines, and his friendly crew of drivers enthusiastically talk about Hudson’s growth and accomplishments. Hudson’s fleet presently consists of 35 “big” buses, eight “minis” and 13 vans. Almost every bus is equipped with audio and visual recording devices, 10 of which are in a new digital format with three angles to capture multiple perspectives.
Several of the eight mini-busses, used primarily to transport special needs students, are equipped with lifts for wheelchair accessibility. Every bus, including all 13 vans, is equipped with cellular telephones and/or two-way radios so that drivers can maintain contact with the dispatcher back at the Hudson terminal.
McCollough and his nearly 50 drivers, some of whom have 30 years of bus-driving experience, proudly boast a near perfect safety record, with no major accidents or injuries, and have been honored by the Maine State Police and the Department of Transportation for their safe practices.
Drivers must be specially licensed to drive for Hudson and must submit to a physical, written and road test, as well as background testing, fingerprinting and random drug and alcohol tests. In addition, drivers must participate in monthly training sessions at Hudson on subjects ranging from safe railroad crossings to recognition of hate crimes, DHS mandated reporting and, this month’s topic, confidentiality. CPR and first responder training is also in the works. Although every mini-bus driver receives additional training in the care of special needs students, every mini-bus also transports an aide, along with the students, to assist should intervention be necessary while the bus is in motion.
Hudson Bus Lines transports students to and from schools, activities and their homes, some as far away as Raymond, Saco, Augusta and Belgrade, every day, and is an integral thread in the fabric of the communities of Lewiston and Auburn. For more information regarding how Hudson can work with you to facilitate your transportation needs year-round, safely and reliably, call 783-2033; ask for Todd or Richard.