Growth Over the Years

Scroll for a trip down memory lane to see how Sharp Bus Lines has developed over the years from a 3-bus operation to expansion across 12 locations in Ontario.

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Our History

  • Founded

    Don Sharp bids on tender to provide school bus service for Glen Morris & St. George-German schools; travels to North Carolina to purchase first 2 buses for himself and brother Stuart. 3rd bus is added later in the year.

    Pictured here is the original fleet of 3 buses.

    3 vintage Sharp school buses parked on grass with young man

  • Expansion to Cover Brant County

    1965

    South Dumfries school board expands to cover whole township – Sharp adds more buses to accommodate 4 schools.

    1969

    Formation of the Brant County Board of Education. Sharp wins 2 tenders to serve 2 North Brantford sections, adding 12 more buses.

    Sharp acquires contract to serve the Brant County Roman Catholic Separate School Board, adding 10 additional buses.

    Company becomes incorporated in December 1969

    Aerial view of a vast bus fleet parked at the Sharp Bus Lines Farm

  • First Shop was Constructed

    The first shop dedicated for school buses was built on the farm. Prior to this, the barn was used for maintenance and repairs.

  • Company Renamed

    Don buys Stuart Sharp out of D&S Incorporated. Company renamed to Sharp Bus Lines Limited.

  • Expansion into Six Nations

    Sharp acquires the Six Nations schools contract, requiring another 12 buses.

  • Special Education Contract Acquired

    Sharp acquires the Brant County special education contract, adding 20 van-like buses & 3 wheelchair.

    Begins providing transportation to Brant County deaf students for weekend home-to-school transportation from Milton & London.

  • John Sharp Joins Business

    Don and Mary’s oldest son, John, joins the family business.

  • Sharp Acquires First Coach Bus

    Sharp acquires their first coach bus and begins branching out into highway coach business, conducting tours all over North America.

  • Bill Sharp Joins Business

    Current company President, Bill Sharp, joins the family business.

  • Bill & John Sharp Purchase Sharp Bus Lines Ltd.

    Sons John & Bill purchase Sharp Bus Lines Limited from Don & Mary Sharp.

  • Expansion into Port Dover, ON

    Purchase Ryerse Bus Lines and established 2nd division in Port Dover, ON.

  • Don Sharp Retires

    Founder Don Sharp retires from the family business leaving Bill, Martha and family to assume control of the family company.

  • STSBHN Contract Acquired

    Acquired contract with Student Transportation Services of Brant Haldimand Norfolk (STSBHN). Expanded into Norfolk division; relocated to Norfolk County from Port Dover.

     

  • STSWR Contract Acquired

    Contract acquired with Student Transportation Service of Waterloo Region (STSWR). Established 3rd division in Kitchener, ON.

    Operations transferred from the family farm to new Brantford location. Pictured below from left to right are Bill, Don and John Sharp standing in front of the construction of the Brantford office.

  • SWOSTS Contract Acquired

    Contract acquired with Southwestern Ontario Student Transportation (SWOSTS). Established 4th division in London, ON.

  • WESTS Contract Acquired

    Contract acquired with Windsor-Essex Student Transportation Services (WESTS). Established division in Windsor, ON.

    The Ministry of Transportation announced Student Transportation reforms.

  • STSYR & STWDSTS Contracts Awarded

    Contracts awarded with Student Transportation Services of York Region (STSYR) and Service de transport de Wellington-Dufferin Student Transportation Services (STWDSTS). Established 6th division in Richmond Hill, ON.

    Expanded STSWR operation.

  • NSTS, SCSTC & Francobus Contracts Awarded

    Contracts awarded with Niagara Student Transportation Services (NSTS) and Simcoe County Student Transportation Consortium (SCSTC). Established 7th and 8th divisions in Niagara and Orillia, ON.

    Awarded Francobus contract.

  • HWSTS Contract Awarded

    Contract awarded with Hamilton-Wentworth Student Transportation Services (HWSTS). Established 9th division in Hannon, ON.

    Expanded SCSTC contract and NSTS into existing divisions.

  • John Sharp Retires from Business

    After 34 years, John Sharp retired from the family business.

  • TSTG Contract Awarded

    Contract awarded with Toronto Student Transportation Group (TSTG). Established 10th division in Scarborough, ON.

    Re-awarded STSWR contract.

  • Adam Sharp Joins Business

    Bill & Martha’s oldest son, Adam, joins the family business, becoming the first of the 3rd generation to work for the family company.

  • SJK Routes Awarded

    Awarded routes for St. John’s Kilmarnock (SJK) and new long-term contract with Windsor-Essex (WESTS).

  • Expansion in Simcoe County & Toronto

    Expanded SCSTC contract, establishing 11th and 12th divisions in Bradford and Midland, ON.

    Francobus awarded in York region, expanded in Toronto.

  • Expansion in Niagara Region

    Expanded NSTS contract, establishing 13th division in Welland, ON.

  • James Sharp Joins Business

    Bill & Martha’s youngest son, James, joins the family business.

  • 60 Year Milestone

    This year, Sharp is celebrating our 60th year serving generations across southern Ontario!
    Trusted Driving, Moving the Future.

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Learn More About Sharp

Read more about what’s important to us through a look at our history, mission, vision and values.

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