![]() Five years ago, one of the company’s chartered tour buses based in Federal Way was slammed into head-on by another tour vehicle while crossing a bridge in Seattle.įive passengers on Bellair’s bus - among a group of students and faculty from North Seattle College - died, and dozens sustained injuries. This crisis wasn’t Johnson’s first with Bellair. But the best part is that it provided some outside work for some of our mechanics.” ![]() We opened a shop for maintenance and repair on motor homes, RVs, and for companies with fleets. “We asked ourselves, ‘What assets do we have?’” Johnson said. However, one exception to the bleak current events and uncertain forecast did unfold. (The shuttle has since resumed, starting in June with limited capacity and a drastically shortened schedule, and slowly has regained 15% to 20% of the customer base.) With COVID-19 restrictions, tours, charters and Airporter Shuttle trips completely shut down. You either need a ride to the airport or you don’t. But at its core and within its niche, Bellair has found itself with nowhere to pivot. Throughout the pandemic, many stories have circulated about companies that have reworked their business models, adjusting to survive the crisis. Otherwise, Bellair business has bottomed out. Navy, state and intercity bus operations, and construction companies moving their employees from job to job. “It’s a low-margin segment, but high volume so it provides a wonderful cash flow.”īellair has contracts with the U.S. “We’re very thankful for our contracts,” Johnson said. But in the third quarter of 2020, Johnson revealed a drop of roughly 85% in sales in Ferndale, with a skeleton staff of just three or four in the office, six drivers, a few mechanics and another dozen people working in other locations. “Our entire industry, worldwide - the huge travel and tourism segment of economies - got hammered,” Johnson said.įor perspective, Bellair had been showing growth, posting more than $11 million in revenue during the 2019 fiscal year and boasting about 150 employees. But then, like so many others, it screeched to a halt in its tire tracks between spring and fall this year. It’s been a consistent presence in the annual Business Pulse listing of the Top 100 Private Companies. Johnson bought the business 15 years ago after several years at Bellair as - what’s that term again? - oh, yes, an employee. The Bellair Charters & Airporter buses - nearly all 70 of them - stand idle, a virtually motionless fleet on sprawling lots near Ferndale, in Federal Way and in Yakima. The business is buses, chartered, shuttled and leased. “Employee.” That’s a term that has vanished almost entirely from the vocabulary (and payroll) of Johnson’s business over the course of the past several months. ![]() Maps are available from the Front Desk of the Hotel de Haro and the Marina Office.Bellair Charters & Airporter owner Richard Johnson continues to project faith, optimism for recovery in ‘hammered’ industry Shuttles and taxis run throughout the day from Friday Harbor (disembarkation) to Roche Harbor. Parking at the Anacortes Ferry Terminalĭuring the summer months the ferry wait on weekends can be two hours or more, so many people decide to drive to the Anacortes ferry terminal, park at the terminal, and then walk on to the ferry. ![]() It is strongly recommended to make ferry reservations in advance if you plan to drive your car on the ferry. Also, keep in mind that you don’t want to miss the boat, so be sure to show up at least 30 minutes prior to the scheduled departure time so as not to lose your reserved space.īe sure to check the ferry schedule and familiarize yourself with the reservations process. MAKE A RESERVATION IN ADVANCE TO ENSURE YOUR PREFERRED SAILING TIME. Ferry Reservationsīe sure to check the ferry schedule to find out what options you have for the trip over to the island. Map directions from the Friday Harbor ferry terminal to Roche Harbor’s check-in area. Map directions from your starting point to the Anacortes Ferry Terminal. After disembarking the ferry, Roche Harbor is a short, 20-minute drive through rural farmland and forests. If you’re leaving from the US, Anacortes is going to be your destination before boarding the San Juan Island ferry.
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