the Setra provides forum for young bus operators

The Setra
Bus and Coach unit supports
young bus operators from
across Europe. On the
initiative of the Ulm-based bus
brand, 40 bus operators from
Germany, Austria, Denmark,
Italy, Luxembourg, Norway,
Switzerland as well as the
Netherlands and Turkey came
together in Prague for the
mutual exchange of
information and thoughts. The
overriding topic this year at
the meeting of the Young Bus
Operators, the eleventh to
date, was the "change of
generations". Along with
lectures by experts,
workshops and information of
current interest from the bus
sector, the agenda included a
visit to the Willax bus
company in Vilseck.
For Lothar Holder, Manager
Sales Setra Bus and Coach
Unit, EvoBus GmbH, these
meetings, which take place
every year in a different
European city, have long since
acquired highest importance
for the harmonious interaction
between brand and
customers: "Through and with
the Young Bus Operators we
are always up to date, get to
know the problems of the
generations of young
entrepreneurs and can
provide incentives. Entirely in
the spirit of the Setra Family
the participants can establish
new contacts in a relaxed
atmosphere and exchange
their ideas."
YBO initiative is basis of a
cross-border network
For Marco Gössi from Horw on
Lake Lucerne, the YBO
initiative is the optimal basis
for building and expanding a
strong cross-border network.
The young managing director
of Gössi Carreisen has been
with the Young Bus Operators
since 2000, the year in which
the project got started with 20
participants. Since then the
Young Bus Operators family
has doubled in size: "This form
of exchanging ideas has
become a tremendously
important element of
everyday business." With this
opinion, the young
entrepreneur and vice-
president of the Professional
Association of Swiss Bus
Operators also voices the
sentiments of other YBO
members. International
friendships have long since
been formed among the
participants and are cultivated
outside the annual meetings
too – and in some cases even
have resulted in the provision
of active assistance when
breakdowns occur. Marco
Gössi: "I can no longer
imagine doing without these
Young Bus Operator
meetings."