NASHVILLE, Tenn.— Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations is celebrating its 75-year lease agreement with Peter Pan Bus Lines as of Aug. 14.
Six years after starting Peter Pan Bus Lines, Peter Picknelly reached an agreement with the Firestone Tire and Rubber Co., Bridgestone said, to lease Firestone tires for a period of one year. Seventy-five years later, the companies are marking their continued partnership.
“The lease contracts industry is intense, competition to deliver best product, cost per mile and service is unrelenting,” said Jim Hardin, mileage sales field manager at Bridgestone.
“A 75-year relationship is unheard of and a wonderful testament to Bridgestone's industry-leading products, incomparable customer service and the great value our Mileage Sales Lease program delivers to customers. We are honored to hold a long-standing relationship with the Picknelly family as the sole tire supplier to Peter Pan Bus Lines.”
Under the initial contract between Harvey Firestone and Picknelly, Firestone agreed to supply tires to equip three 10-passenger Chevrolet and five 19-passenger Beck buses in tire sizes 7.00X15 and 7.50X20 on a cost-per-mile basis, Bridgestone said. The original tire lease contract signed in 1939 was given to the Picknelly family by Bridgestone.
“Peter Pan coaches travel millions of miles in a year and carry 4 million passengers through the Northeast,” said Tom Picknally, senior vice president of maintenance, Peter Pan Bus Lines.
“Our customers, drivers, and employees value safety. The 75-year business relationship with Bridgestone has assisted us in delivering safe transportation and we continue to value Bridgestone for the excellent quality in which they always deliver.”
More about the Mileage Lease Program is on Bridgestone's website.