Jefferson Lines

Jefferson Lines
Company type	Private
Industry	Intercity bus service
Founded	1919
Headquarters	Minneapolis, United States
Area served	14 states in the Midwest and Western United States
Key people	Steve Woelfel (President and CEO)
Products	Intercity bus service, charter bus service
Owner	Charlie Zelle (majority stakeholder as of 2010)
Number of employees	210
Website	www.jeffersonlines.com

Jefferson Lines (abbreviated as JL or JLI) operates as a regional intercity bus service provider across 14 states within the Midwest and Western regions of the United States.

History

Managed by Jefferson Partners L.P. and based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Jefferson Lines also delivers charter bus options in Minneapolis and Billings. Established in 1919, it ranks as the second-largest fixed-station intercity bus carrier in the U.S. The company’s name pays homage to the historic Jefferson Highway, a significant north–south corridor. The firm expanded its reach south of Kansas City in 1966 through the acquisition of Crown Coach.

By 1990, Jefferson Lines stood as the nation’s second-largest intercity bus operator following the merger of Continental Trailways with Greyhound Lines. That year, it entered bankruptcy proceedings and was subsequently purchased by an investment group headed by Norwest Equity Partners; Charlie Zelle became the principal shareholder in 1998. In 2000, Jefferson broadened its footprint by acquiring Jack Rabbit Lines’ scheduled routes in the Dakotas, enhancing its regional market presence.

The company was a party to the 1994 Supreme Court decision Oklahoma Tax Commission v. Jefferson Lines, which affected state sales tax jurisdiction over interstate bus ticket sales, shaping regulatory policies pertinent to its operations.

After Greyhound Lines underwent restructuring during the 2000s, Jefferson Lines absorbed several former Greyhound routes, resulting in increased ridership along vital corridors. Nevertheless, service to Winnipeg was curtailed to Grand Forks, North Dakota, in 2010. In 2013, Jefferson extended services into Minnesota's Iron Range area, encompassing Hibbing—the original home of Greyhound—strengthening its strategic expansion in historically significant markets.

By 2018, Jefferson Lines maintained operations across 13 states, sustaining a robust role in the North Central United States with a comprehensive portfolio centered on intercity coach transportation.

Details

Jefferson Lines employs roughly 210 personnel, including approximately 100 drivers, and manages a fleet consisting of 75 buses. The company holds memberships with the American Bus Association, United Motorcoach Association, and National Tour Association. In 2021, it was honored as Minnesota's top transportation company by the Star Tribune. Since 2004, select routes have benefited from state subsidies provided by Minnesota to ensure ongoing service availability.

Routes

As of September 2022, Jefferson Lines operated numerous routes linking key regional centers throughout its service states. Prominent terminals include:

Management

Since January 2013, Steve Woelfel has held the position of president and CEO at Jefferson Lines, following an eight-year tenure as CFO. Prior to joining Jefferson, Woelfel served as vice president and general manager at Fox Sports Net North.

His predecessor, Charlie Zelle—a grandson of one of the company’s founders and representing its third generation of family leadership—shifted from investment banking in New York City to lead Jefferson Lines starting in 1987. Zelle was instrumental in guiding the company through Chapter 11 bankruptcy restructuring during 1989–1990 after financial difficulties related to real estate ventures. By 2010, Zelle owned a majority stake of 60%, with Fred Kaiser holding the remaining 40%. Beyond his responsibilities at Jefferson Lines, Zelle chaired the Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce and was appointed Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Transportation in 2012. Upon taking public office in 2013, he stepped away from day-to-day management but retained his role as Board Chair while recusing himself from MnDOT matters involving Jefferson Lines.

References

External links