San Luis Obispo, Calif.’s Silverado Stages Inc. and Michelangelo Leasing Inc. entered into a merger agreement combining the two well established motorcoach companies into a single, broadly capable, and service-oriented passenger transportation business.

“We are extremely pleased that Eugene Bronson and his motorcoach company have agreed to join Silverado and help grow our combined operations in the western region of the United States,” said Jim Galusha, Silverado’s chairman. “Our plans are to consolidate operations where possible, take advantage of best practices and efficiencies, and to extend Silverado’s proven operational model.”

Michelangelo Leasing Inc., an Ariz. corporation, was founded in 1999, and operates under the brand names of Divine Transportation; Ryan’s Express Transportation Services; and White Tie Transportation, Limousine, and Tours. Michelangelo, with operating authorities in Ariz., Nevada and Calif., operates a fleet of some 200 vehicles from terminals in Torrance, Calif., San Diego, Las Vegas, Sedona, Ariz., and Phoenix.

Silverado Stages Inc., a Wyoming corporation, was founded in 1987 and has grown into the largest privately owned motorcoach company based in California, operating about 150 vehicles.

Silverado Stages provides safe, reliable, and comfortable transportation across the Western States from terminals in Sacramento, San Luis Obispo, Bakersfield, Santa Barbara, and Orange County Calif., as well as Las Vegas and Cheyenne, Wyo. Services include charters, tours, scheduled fixed-route service, commuter, and campus shuttles, as well as convention and event services aboard large motorcoaches, shuttles, and vans.