21/06/2024
It is with pleasure that I announce that Lonestar Coachlines has today been acquired by Adam Baker of Belbaker Bus Charter.
When considering a proposal to sell our operation, it was genuinely important to me that a potential new incoming operator must have a similar passion for quality, attention to detail and determination to ensure Lonestar remains the stand out operator on the Gold Coast. I am confident that Adam Baker is just such a person and will continue to increase the benchmark set by Lonestar with quality and performance.
I sincerely thank our customers for their loyal support and faith in our operations. Without the appreciated patronage of our clients I’m sure our business would not have grown to the size and leading standout operation that it is today. Regularly hearing from our customers the feedback regarding our quality in comparison, really does fill ones heart with satisfaction and appreciation. I particularly note having acquired the support of the Gold Coast’s most prestigious schools in recent years, as a milestone for the company, drawing attention to the quality of fleet and professionalism in comparison to some. I’m proud to announce those schools have in recent days formally committed to their continued support of Lonestar for years to come. Well done team.
Lonestar is lucky to have some very loyal, capable and outstanding staff, all of whom I appreciate and wish all the very best with their new employment. I’m sure because of their particular Lonestar pride along with their commitment to the brand, the business will continue to go from strength to strength over the coming years. Quietly, having been made aware of the future ongoing growth plans for Lonestar I will be excited to see those come to fruition in the near future.
To our community I also wish to acknowledge your commitment to your support of our business. Without this support we would not have been able to grow the business to the success it is today. Having built very sound, respectful and mutually supportive partnerships with many private and Government organisations in our community, I have no doubt this has made our efforts just that much more successful, easier and rewarding.
I also wish to formally acknowledge the support of my family and friends. After 32 years in the bus industry and having bought my first bus 27 years ago I can honestly say some of my closest friends are a result of my time within the industry. Some of whom unfortunately have reached the age of retirement and others tragically recently deceased, I miss them. I truly am grateful for having met the fantastic loyal people within the industry, some of whom have been working along side me for near on 25 years and my closest friends, something I believe that to be very rare in this day and age. In this respect, I pay particular tribute to the man who I call father, Lyle Friske and my longest serving driver and mate Ronnie. Unfortunately the apple of my eye, little Emma is a little upset to see the business go, particularly the flagship sporting her name, but I’m assured Adam Baker will continue to have her name on the Lonestar flagship and I believe that demonstrates Adam’s appreciation and commitment to family run operations and this will be evident in his commitment to the continued Lonestar unique qualities.
Finally but not least, myself and our company has enjoyed a very long term and rare support of other operators over our years in business and I have appreciated those relationships no end. It is at this time I particularly make mention of Justin Cannon and Murray’s. Obviously we have been competitors for many years, however we have enjoyed an excellent working and mutually respectful supportive. always professional relationship for a long time. Through good and bad times Justin and Murray’s were always amongst the first to stand by me and my operations, a testament to good people and rare, loyal, professional relationships.
To my colleagues, I note the bus industry is not immune to challenges nor operators that want to play in the mud, but it’s important to hold your head high, not lower your standards and fight on to defend your beliefs and values. This attitude will serve you well. Friends, I wish you all well, I look forward to continued relationships, things happen for a reason and I’m sure all the good people of which I have shown my appreciation will reap the rewards of their morals.
Lonestar will now go on to be even stronger with many more advantages as the clear operator of choice. I will always look back with pride and gratitude for what the company has become and will be. In conclusion, on a personal note, those closest to me will appreciate and understand that with my continued unwavering support, I particularly look forward to and will enjoy witnessing Adam Baker continue a dedication to make sure the Lonestar presence is well and truly known to one. Some things will never die 🤣
Warmest regards
