As a member of both the American Bus Association (ABA) and the United Motorcoach Association (UMA), Nashville, Tennessee’s Anchor Transportation, which was founded in 1989, elevates the expectations set by both groups by building a living culture defined by its core values — Prioritize Safety, Pursue Excellence, Value People, and Serve With Purpose.

This deep-rooted culture is what truly sets Anchor apart and has helped earn them the honor of being named METRO Magazine’s 2026 Innovative Operator of the Year at this year’s American Bus Association Marketplace in Reno, Nevada.

“For the entire Anchor family, this award recognizes our commitment not just to meeting expectations, but to continually redefining what a motorcoach operator can and should be,” says Jared Stancil, president at Anchor. “More than anything, the award reinforces our belief that innovation isn’t only about adopting new technology, it’s about thoughtfully combining systems, processes, and people to create the safest, most reliable, and most people-centered operation possible.”

Continuing to Innovate

Anchor Transportation has undertaken a company-wide digital transformation, connecting all operational, employee- and customer-facing systems into one innovative, data-driven framework.

“Technology has transformed the way Anchor operates by empowering our employees, giving them clearer information, better tools, and more intelligent systems that help them succeed,” says Stancil. “We’ve learned that innovation isn’t always about adopting the newest technology. What matters most is how we use our tools and how they help us engage our workforce and strengthen our culture.”

Central to Anchor’s modernization is the integration of advanced platforms, including Samsara, Fleetio, Coach Manager, Fleet Integrations, Portico, and Avatar. Together, these systems provide real-time visibility across dispatch, fleet maintenance, safety, and customer management.

Samsara strengthens driver performance monitoring and telematics insights, Fleetio automates preventive maintenance workflows, and Coach Manager streamlines charter scheduling and client communication.

With the addition of Fleet Integrations, Portico, and Avatar, data now flows seamlessly across maintenance, cleaning, dispatch, payroll, and safety — creating a wholly unified operational ecosystem.

One of the most significant results of this integration is the creation of a comprehensive Driver Performance Scorecard. By combining Samsara telematics, customer feedback, Avatar training outcomes, and internal evaluations, the scorecard provides a holistic view of each driver’s safety and service performance.

“By integrating systems, all of our technology systems into simple data-driven platforms, Anchor has created clear visibility and seamless coordination across operations,” says Stancil. “A key example of this integration is our Driver Performance Scorecard, which enables highly targeted coaching that strengthens driver performance, elevates safety, and improves overall service quality.”

To further enhance service quality, the Customer Feedback Program, launched through Rolling Forward, now automates post-trip surveys via text message and links them directly to trip data in Coach Manager.

The real-time insights flow into driver coaching sessions and company-wide process improvements, strengthening Anchor’s Net Promoter Score (NPS) and increasing customer satisfaction.

“When we engage our workforce, equip them with the right tools, and reinforce our culture through data-driven support, our customers receive the safest, most reliable, and most caring experience possible,” says Stancil. “That drives continuous improvement and delivers a safer, smoother, and more responsive experience for every passenger.”

Enhanced Safety

With safety at the foundation of everything Anchor does, the company has been recognized by TRAX Insurance with 11 consecutive President’s Awards for Safety and has earned TRAX’s highest national honor for maintaining over 10 years without risk sharing — a distinction awarded only twice in TRAX’s 20-year history.

Additionally, Deacher Consulting awarded Anchor a perfect 100 during its most recent safety audit, and the FMCSA found no violations during the company’s latest annual compliance review — further validating Anchor’s industry-leading safety culture.

“At Anchor, safety isn’t a department or a checklist; it’s the foundation of who we are,” says Stancil. “Our leadership team has fully embraced a ‘Prioritize Safety’ culture, which means safety is part of every decision we make and every conversation we have with our team. That commitment is reinforced daily through our people, our processes, and the technology that supports them.”

That said, Anchor has hired two full-time safety professionals over the last two years and implemented Avatar’s Train-the-Trainer program, empowering certified in-house instructors to deliver consistent, high-quality coaching and compliance oversight.

Combined with the aforementioned behavior-based coaching tools from Samsara to provide real-time telematics insights and post-trip feedback, the initiatives have resulted in a 35.6% year-to-date reduction in preventable accidents, even as the workforce and fleet have expanded.

Vehicle safety is equally essential to Anchor’s success.

The company’s technicians have also completed over 920 hours of manufacturer-certified training through Motor Coach Industries (MCI), ensuring every coach meets the highest standards of performance and reliability.

Anchor maintains more than 25 preventive and predictive services per vehicle, including brake diagnostics, engine monitoring, fluid analysis, and electrical system health.

The Connected Fleet system provides predictive maintenance alerts and real-time diagnostics, enabling technicians to address potential issues before they impact operations. Together, these practices form a proactive safety loop that protects passengers, drivers, and equipment through technical expertise, data-driven maintenance, and continuous training.

Continuing to Grow

In the past two years, Anchor Transportation has achieved record-breaking growth and strategic expansion. Total company revenue has increased 32%, supported by a new terminal in Montgomery, Alabama, which expanded regional capacity, improved response times, and strengthened the company’s service footprint across the Southeast.

Anchor also secured a five-year, $3 million annual contract with the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) to operate the Nashville Commuter Shuttle System. This expansion into fixed-route transit added 16 daily routes, improving community mobility and solidifying Anchor’s presence in public transportation.

Alongside operational expansion, Anchor experienced a 23.4% increase in its workforce — reinforcing the company’s commitment to Value People by investing in the team needed to deliver safe, reliable, high-quality service. This people-centered growth mirrors the company’s financial gains, ensuring that operational excellence and customer satisfaction rise together.

At the same time, Anchor demonstrated its commitment to Pursue Excellence by adding 15 new MCI J4500 motorcoaches to its fleet.

“When I think about how fast we have grown and how we have gotten better as a company and as leaders, it is very exciting,” says Stancil.

Putting People First, Charging Ahead

What also differentiates Anchor is its unwavering commitment to people — both within the company and throughout the community.

Whether through financial support to nonprofits or by providing free transportation to organizations like the Nashville Rescue Mission, Second Harvest Food Bank, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and Young Life, Anchor is deeply committed to giving back.

Anchor’s chaplain program also provided more than 600 employee care interactions last year, demonstrating its dedication to supporting team members on a personal level.

“This dual commitment to our team and to our community strengthens trust, fosters meaningful relationships, and brings purpose to our work,” says Stancil. “It also drives retention, attracts mission-minded talent, and sets Anchor apart in an industry where genuine human connection can too often be overlooked.”

Meanwhile, the company’s four-time recognition as a “Best Place to Work” further reflects a workplace culture built on well-being, integrity, and purpose.

“People are at the heart of Anchor, and serving our community is one of the essential ways we do that,” says Stancil. “We also believe that when you genuinely invest in your employees, you build far more than a workforce; you build a family.”

In October 2023, Anchor’s leadership transitioned from its founder, John Stancil, who retired, to Jared.

Stancil says the transition was smooth, well-received, and aligned with the company’s long-standing values, which is a rare example of maturity, continuity, and resilience within the industry.

Looking ahead, Anchor intends to scale with intention, expanding both its fleet and workforce while always ensuring the company’s growth aligns with its values and uncompromising safety standards.

On the technology side, the operation will continue to build out its data-driven operations with advanced predictive tools and customer-focused enhancements that elevate Anchor’s performance and the passenger experience.

The company is also committed to deepening its impact in the communities it serves. That includes expanding new partnerships with nonprofits; growing fixed-route and commuter services; and creating more opportunities to support those who depend on safe, reliable transportation, says Stancil.

“Most importantly, we will continue investing in people, our employees, our customers, and our communities, because they are the foundation of everything we do,” he says. “As Anchor grows, our values will remain at the center, ensuring that every new mile, every new coach, and every new team member reflects not just what the industry expects but what the industry should aspire to become.”