Carson's Aztec Transportation sold

El Camino Trailways of San Francisco acquired Aztec Transportation of Carson City last month for an undisclosed amount, Michael Watson, managing director of El Camino, said last week.

Former Aztec president Tom Parker Sr. is now director of El Camino Trailways' Nevada operation, including operations at Lake Tahoe.

Trailways will retain Aztec's headquarters facility on Cygnet Road in Mound House, a bus maintenance and driver pick up depot, along with the existing workforce, says Watson. It also acquired 50 pieces of equipment, including Aztec's 17 motor coaches.

The merger provides El Camino Trailways a base of operation in Carson City.

"Along with new bases in Lake Tahoe, it creates service from San Francisco/San Jose to Tahoe/Truckee and anywhere in between," said Watson.

The Tahoe routes acquired include Blue Go's Kingsbury Express commuter service, which began operating daily buses over Kingsbury Grade between from Carson Valley and Stateline this month. Truckee routes include three municipal bus services on fixed routes and two dial-a-ride buses.

The company also has contracts with Kirkwood Mountain Resort, Northstar-at-Tahoe resort and Sierra-at-Tahoe Ski Resort.

Founded in 1962, El Camino Trailways came under new ownership in 2005 and looked to become a regional operator beyond California and Nevada, said Watson. "Lake Tahoe was the logical next step."

"Aztec was receptive to the acquisition," he added, "because a broader-based company is more efficient and brings more opportunities."

Headquartered in South San Francisco, El Camino Trailways also has operations in San Francisco and Silicon Valley. The company provides charters for corporate and private groups. It also runs trips to Oregon, Washington State and British Columbia as well as to national parks in Arizona, Colorado, Utah and Nevada.