Michaud History

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Since its humble beginnings nearly a century ago, the Michaud Family has had an unwavering dedication to public transportation.

In 1914 Eudger J. "Mike" Michaud purchased a Ford Model T Jitney, and began operating regular route service on Boston's North Shore. By the late 1920's Mike had moved into a new location at 250 Jefferson Ave. Salem, Massachusetts and expanded his fleet to include some REO's and a few White Buses as well.

1948 began a new chapter in Michaud Bus Lines' history as J. Alex Michaud retired from the U.S. Navy, as a full Commander, to take the helm of the company that owned six buses and had minimal operating authority. "Alex", realizing the importance of operating authority, worked diligently on obtaining more rights through the purchase of other bus companies, and by pioneering the first ever "round-trip special" tour authority. This, combined with the safest, cleanest, well-maintained fleet of modern coaches, helped Michaud Bus Lines to become one of America's most respected charter and tour operators. With the help of his sons Jay, Spike, Biff and Gig, Alex built Michaud Bus Lines, Inc. to 40 motorcoaches, 55 transits, and 440 school buses, operating regular route service, thousands of charters and more than 1,500 escorted tours per year throughout the 49 states, Canada and Mexico.

After graduating from college in 1964 with a degree in mechanical engineering, Alex's second son, James R. "Spike" Michaud was entrusted with the position of Superintendent of Maintenance and Safety for Michaud Bus Lines. The title Vice President of Maintenance and Operations was awarded to Spike in 1970. He served on the Board of Directors of the New England Bus Association, Eastern Bus Maintenance Management Conference, and the New England Passenger Transportation Association. His maintenance and operations position also led to the buying and selling of new and used coaches as the company fleet grew. The experience and respect he received in the bus industry helped Spike to become extremely successful in the bus sales division.

In 1991, Spike decided to branch off on his own, creating Bus Sales Northeast. He concentrated on selling good, quality pre-owned equipment to include minibuses, transits, and inter-city coaches. Spike also provided professional appraisals for bus companies as well as banks and leasing companies throughout the United States.

Jim Michaud standing next to bus Like his father Spike, Jim Michaud grew up in the bus industry as well. Working after school, Jim washed and fueled the buses as they came back from their school runs. He would work full time during school vacations and summer breaks in the maintenance department. As soon as he was old enough to drive the buses, he was working for his father, delivering sold buses all over North America. Jim decided to get some sales experience outside the family business, so he sold new and used cars and trucks for a major automobile manufacturer. Then in 1995, the opportunity arose for Jim to join Eagle Coach Corporation as their Northeast Sales Representative. Within two years Jim became Eagle's top salesman.

Jim and Spike Michaud standing next to bus

Michaud Bus Sales, Inc. was formed in January of 1997 when Jim Michaud joined his father Spike. Now together, through their inventory and national network, they are providing customers with the sales, brokerage, and consignment of select pre-owned inter-city coaches, transits, minibuses, and conversion coaches. Michaud Bus Sales Inc. is leaping into the new Millenium with their computerized appraisals, web-site services, and state-of-the-art computer systems. Now located in their new offices at 329 Route 125, Brentwood, New Hampshire, Spike and Jim are anxious to put their over 40 years of knowledge and experience to work for you.

For nearly a century, and four generations, the Michaud family has had a proven record for providing bus operators with "First Class Coaches the Second Time Around".

J. ALEX MICHAUD'S BIOGRAPHY

Joseph Alexander Michaud II was born in Salem, Massachusetts on February 17, 1909. He was educated at Saltonstall and Salem High Schools, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and General Motors Institute of Technology in Pontiac, Michigan. J. Alex Michaud taught Automobile Science and Technology at the Salem Vocational High School from 1935 to 1940.

When Hitler invaded Poland, September 1939, he enrolled in the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve. When the Japanese struck Pearl Harbor he transferred to the U.S. Navy, was immediately assigned to active duty with the Atlantic Fleet and collateral duty with the Bureau of Ships, where he outlined a 6 million dollar film training program on the operation of PT Boats. This program was translated into Russian, French and also made available to the British. Cdr. Michaud helped to personally train the late John F. Kennedy in PT Boat operations. Michaud was on active PT Boat patrol duty against the enemy in the North Atlantic and South Pacific Theaters.

His last Naval assignment was Commander, Motor Torpedo Boat Squadrons, Philippine Sea Frontier and Commander Task Unit 93.4.60. After the war and while in the Philippines, he was assigned to the State Department as head of the Office of Foreign Liquidation Commission (OFLC) to help rehabilitate the United States Far East Allies.

In 1948, he returned from the Navy as FULL COMMANDER, USN, he purchased the controlling interest of Michaud Bus Lines from his mother-in -law, Marie E. Michaud (no relation). He built the 6-bus operation into a modern 568-bus operation with I.C.C. authority in 49 states. In 1971 Alex, along with Wayne Smith wrote and organized the Articles and By-Laws of the United Bus Owners of America. He became a charter member and director of that association. On the 65th anniversary of Michaud Bus Lines, the company purchased the northeastern routes of Trailways of New England. He was elected to the Board of Directors of The National Trailways Bus System and American Bus Association. In 1988, Alex sold Michaud Bus Lines, Inc. to his two sons Spike and Gig, then retired.

Commander Michaud was past Commodore of the Quarterdeck Yacht Club of Marblehead, past President of the Salem Kiwanis Club, Past President of the Beverly Rotary Club, the New England Bus Association, the N.E. Transit Club, and Essex County Associated Board of Trade. He organized and was the first President and Director of the Massachusetts Bus Association, was Director of National Bus Traffic Association, Chicago, past Chairman of Society of Automotive Engineers, New England Section at MIT, Commissioner American Canadian French Cultural Exchange Commission and Chairman of the Governor's Highway Safety Committee.

A motor coach pioneer and industry innovator, Cdr. J. Alexander Michaud passed away on January 1, 2003 at almost 94 years of age. Cdr. Michaud is survived by his wife Dorothy, his eight children; Jay, Spike, Biff, Gale, Gig, Cindy, Joy and Eric, 19 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.