For bus enthusiast Michael Presta, the dream of running his own bus company was a lifelong ambition. In the midst of COVID lockdowns, he seized the opportunity to turn his aspirations into reality, marking the inception of Montrose Bus & Coach in Melbourne.
The desire to establish a bus company resonates with bus enthusiasts globally – a dream of overseeing the daily operations of rail buses and charter coaches, witnessing their departures at dawn and welcoming their return as the sun sets, sometimes later. Michael Presta refused to let this vision remain a fleeting fantasy. Instead, he transformed it into a tangible achievement.
Although the idea of starting his own bus company had lingered throughout his life, it took the encouragement of Presta’s wife-to-be Krissy to propel him into action.
“While I always harboured the desire to run my own company, my experiences made me reassess whether I truly wanted to pursue it,” Presta told ABC.
“I struggled to take the leap before I met Krissy. She became the catalyst for me to realise my dream.”
With a background in buses and coaches dating back to his apprenticeship at Melbourne’s Grenda’s Bus Services, and subsequent roles as a driver and in spare parts at Ventura, Presta’s journey towards becoming his own boss was a gradual process.
Amid COVID lockdowns in late 2020, Krissy’s encouragement led Presta to purchase his first bus—a 57-seat Mercedes-Benz coach that remains in service today. Departing from his position at Ventura, he took on a full-time job outside the industry while diligently laying the groundwork for his own company.
In early 2021, the newly established Montrose Bus & Coach secured its inaugural job, providing Presta with a solid foundation for expansion. From acquiring a low-floor bus to adding a third vehicle to the fleet, Presta’s perseverance and speculative decisions fuelled the company’s growth.
Reflecting on the challenges of starting his own bus company, Presta acknowledged the setbacks, including an accident that rendered Montrose’s first low-floor bus unusable. Despite the hurdles, he remained committed to steering the small business forward, maintaining a diverse range of services.
Today, Montrose Bus & Coach boasts five buses and approximately eight staff under its banner. Presta’s vision, backed by the unwavering support of Krissy, is to evolve his passion project into a prominent bus and coach company. Expressing deep gratitude to his exceptional team, Presta says his staff have made invaluable contributions to make the journey possible.
“I am humbled by the incredible team that surrounds me,” he says.
“I now have aspirations to expand the charter side of the business moving forward.”
Acknowledging the risks taken in late 2020, Presta finds himself at the helm of the flourishing Montrose Bus & Coach. Looking back, he expresses appreciation for his family and friends’ support, emphasising the indispensable role played by Krissy in their shared journey. While challenges persist, Presta is content, having transformed the childhood dream of a bus enthusiast into a tangible reality—one that he wouldn’t trade for anything else.
“To quote Walt Disney, all our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them,” he says.