In 1932, Vandalia Bus Lines, Inc. began its service. The company acquired its name, “Vandalia” from a central southern Illinois community Vandalia, where it initially started. With an initial fleet of five buses, the company provided transportation between St. Louis, Missouri and several southern Illinois communities. With the advent of World War II, in 1939, the need for Military transportation rapidly grew. Therefore, in order to respond to this need, the company moved from Vandalia, to Collinsville, Illinois so the business would be closer to the St. Louis market. Then in 1949 the owners at that time, Mr. Oliver C. Anderson and Mr. Loyd “Katy” Cavins, moved the company to where it is currently located today, in Caseyville, Illinois. The company operated both scheduled and chartered runs. This changed in 1963 when the Bi-State Development Agency was established and they purchased the right for all regular scheduled runs in the St. Louis area. Vandalia Bus Lines then began to primarily operate as a charter service.
In 1975, a new era for Vandalia Bus Lines began when Leon and Judy Streif purchased the company. Before the Streifs purchased the company, Leon was a multiple business owner. One of the businesses that he owned and operated was Streif Bus service that had served the Lebanon School District since 1963.
Another business adventure of Leon’s was a popular country and western bar in Lebanon called “Klub 50.” The Streifs entry into the charter bus service was almost accidental. In 1970, to improve their bus fleet for the Lebanon School District, they purchased a used Greyhound “Silverside.” The Greyhound “Silverside” was a success with the Lebanon School District, in particular with the athletic teams, since the school nickname is the “Lebanon Greyhounds.” The students were delighted to pull up to a competing school with a greyhound on their bus showing that the “Greyhounds” had arrived.
But, one day, in “Klub 50,” someone suggested, “Hey, lets all go to the Grand Ole Opry on Leon’s Bus!” So a tour was born and a trip to Nashville was planned, organized, and made. Leon drove the bus and Judy, his wife, fixed sandwiches, fried chicken and snacks for the passengers. The first tour to the Grand Ole Opry from Lebanon was made, but with one small problem, the Striefs’ first Greyhound did not have a restroom on board! So the normal six-hour trip to Nashville, Tennessee, took over nine hours to complete each way because of the multiple stops that were made by the first tour group. Having learned from that experience, the Streifs then purchased another Greyhound, this time with a lavatory on board, and they began marketing trips to the Grand Ole Opry. From that moment on, the charter business continued to flourish for the Streifs.
When the Streifs purchased Vandalia Bus Lines in 1975, the fleet included seven GM coaches and four new MCI-8's. Today the fleet has grown to a total of fifty-nine local and over the road coaches, which include two 12-passenger vans; four 24-25 passenger coaches; two 37 passenger coaches; several 47 passenger local coaches; eleven 49 passenger coaches; twenty-four 57 passenger coaches; and six 61 passenger coaches. (The fleet may be viewed by clicking on the View Fleet link).
On December 23, 1996 Leon passed away, and has entrusted the care of Vandalia Bus Lines to his family. The remaining family members conducting day-to-day operations are his wife - Judy, his sons - Dale, Dennis and Roger, and his daughters – Melissa, Lori, and Deanna.
The growth of Vandalia Bus Lines, Inc. continues as a result of increased local business that can be primarily attributed to excellent customer satisfaction. Check us out through this website, or give us a call, we look forward to serving your charter needs!
Vandalia Bus Lines, Inc.
1932-2007
Celebrating 75 Years of Service!
