| 1970s |
Northwest
Iowa Tours began with domestic tours designed and sold by
Vernon Mersman. |
| 1981 |
Northwest
Iowa Transportation, Inc., began with one 1959 GM PD4104
motor coach. Vernon Mersman and Pam Quinn, Owners. |
| 1982 |
First
and second 47-passenger motor coaches acquired, small offices
and garage procured in Badger, IA. |
| 1983 |
Third 47-passenger
motor coach acquired. First Alaska tour receives rave reviews!
(Present owner joined the company as a driver, tour escort
and office assistant.) |
| 1984 |
Fourth
47-passenger motor coach acquired (our first MC9). Original
GM coach retired. |
| 1985 |
Badger, IA,
offices expanded. |
| 1986 |
Vernon
Mersman becomes sole shareholder in Northwest Iowa Transportation,
Inc. Fifth 47-passenger coach added. |
| 1987 |
Company moved
to current location in Fort Dodge. Present owner, Loren
Jones purchased all stock in Northwest Iowa Transportation,
Inc., (Five 47-passenger MCI motor coaches and a dozen employees.) |
| 1988 |
Sixth
47-passenger coach added to the fleet. |
| 1989 |
Offices remodeled.
U.S.D.O.T. "Satisfactory" safety rating received.
(The highest safety rating given.) |
| 1990 |
First
wide-body motor coach added to the fleet. Original 47-passenger
coach retired. |
| 1991 |
Second wide-body
47-passenger coach added to the fleet. |
| 1992 |
Seventh,
eighth and ninth 47-passenger coaches added. Fort Dodge
office expanded to triple the floor space of original offices.
First international tour offered as a joint venture with
Fun Travel. |
| 1993 |
All Northwest
Iowa Transportation, Inc., coaches become non-smoking. 80,000-square-foot
parking lot poured and more garage space added. Our first
tour to Australia and New Zealand is a real hit! |
| 1994 |
Northwest
Iowa Transportation, Inc., was the first Iowa-based carrier
to acquire a 45-foot, 55-passenger motor coach (a near-new
1994 model MCI). Another 55-passenger coach followed shortly
(our first brand new coach!). |
| 1995 |
Computerized
reservations, dispatch and accounting system installed.
Third and fourth 55-passenger coaches added. Office expanded
to provide separate charter and pre-formed group tour planning
offices. |
| 1996 |
First
Executive Lounge Liner completed and put into service. Northwest
Iowa Transportation, Inc., acquired Carson Coaches in Waterloo,
IA, and established a full-time satellite office/maintenance
facility. Combined fleets number 15 coaches and 1 ShuttleLiner.
Fort Dodge maintenance area expanded and new wash facility
built. Fifth and sixth 55-passenger coaches added to the
fleet. |
| 1997 |
First Iowa-based
tour operator to provide a wheelchair-lift-equipped motor
coach. Combined fleet increased to 17 coaches (1 additional
coach at each location). Our first tours to Africa and the
Amazon are a success! Our 10th international joint venture
with Fun Travel sells out! |
| 1998 |
Second
Executive Lounge Liner put into service. New rest rooms,
kitchen and customer reception/departure lounge built at
our Fort Dodge office. Our first Prevost H3-45 motor coach
ordered and delivered. Northwest Iowa Transportation, Inc.,
invited and unanimously approved as a member-shareholder
in the International Motorcoach Group, Inc., a consortium
of premium independent carriers. |
| 1999 |
Second ShuttleLiner
put into service. We receive our fifth consecutive "outstanding"
rating by Consolidated Safety Services. Our second Prevost
H3-45 ordered and delivered. Our 20th international joint
venture with Fun Travel sells out before publication! We
unveil our frequent tour traveler reward program. Our web
site was created! Our second African Safari adventure
is a great success. |