IMG’s 2013 Operator of the Year – The Free Enterprise System

IMG News

August 27, 2013

The Sodrel family, The Free Enterprise System, after winning their award.

At the final evening event of the International Motor Coach Group's (IMG) Strategic Alliance Meeting, in Snowbird, UT, The Free Enterprise System received the prestigious honor of IMG Operator of the Year, 2013.

IMG each year recognizes one of their own, based on a criteria of operational excellence, safety record, best practices, community and industry involvement and engagement within the International Motor Coach Group.

The Operator of the Year award was accepted by Noah Sodrel, Chairman and CEO of The Free Enterprise System. Mr. Sodrel said on receiving the award: "The International Motor Coach Group (IMG) is made up of the best coach operators in North America. To be chosen "Operator of the Year" by this group of our peers is an honor. The only higher honor is being chosen first by your customers."

The Free Enterprise System, Inc. was formed by Mike and Keta Sodrel in June of 1976. The initial Free Enterprise fleet consisted of three 1949 GMC transit buses. These units were part of the purchase of Home Transit, Inc. and Daisy Line, Inc. Free Enterprise operated local transit service from 1976 until the bus industry was de-regulated in 1983. It provided transit bus service to those communities with no Federal, State or Local tax subsidies. Later in 1976 Free Enterprise began providing charter bus service. A single 1965 motor coach designed to carry 39 passengers made up the charter bus fleet.

Today The Free Enterprise operates a modern fleet of charter and transit vehicles with WIFI, charging stations, wireless intercom, video, satellite TV, and many other passenger comforts. They are all designed to underscore the company slogan: "Anything else is just a bus ride".

Many have asked; Why the name "The Free Enterprise System" was chosen. No taxpayer money was used for the start up or operation of Free Enterprise. It was started with private capital, and operated solely on sales revenue.

From its' humble beginnings with three 1949 transit buses, two drivers, and a single location, Free Enterprise now operates over one hundred and fifty modern buses and coaches from Chicago IL, Indianapolis IN, Louisville KY, and Lexington KY providing hundreds of jobs. Noah Sodrel, the current CEO of Free Enterprise is the fifth generation of his family to be engaged in transportation in the Hoosier State.

Congratulations to the entire team at The Free Enterprise System for an outstanding win!