Two For The Road

Lou and Don DeVivo, the father-and-son team managing DATTCO, provide a wide range of services in the transportation industry to drive success.
—Hanna Aronovich, US Business Review May 2003



There is nothing like the feeling of free­dom that the open road brings – except when the car is humid, the seats are sticky and leg­room is nonexistent. Fortunately, DATTCO’s customers probably never have to deal with such travel problems. The company’s transportation services provide convenience and luxury when its customers take to the road.

One of DATTCO’s motor coach services is its V.I.P. transport system. According to Don DeVivo, senior vice president, the luxury vehicles come in three versions: the first seats nine passengers, is equipped with leather seats, a DVD player, a CD player and laptop connection; the second largest vehicle, seats 21 passengers and has two separate rooms, making it a popular choice for wedding parties and hospitality events; the largest option in this class of service seats 27 passengers and is equipped with satellite TV, satellite radio, laptop connection and food and beverage service.

The school bus division is one of DATTCO’s largest, and most stable, areas. “It’s a growing segment,” Don DeVivo says. “Kids have to get to school every day.” He points out that many factors contribute to growth in the school bus segment. “There’s more special transportation,” he says. “Schools are integrating more special education programs, and so more special needs students are using the school bus systems.” DeVivo also points out that “magnet” schools – which have a specialized curriculum and attract students from a wide surrounding area – are becoming more popular, and students from various locations in a broad region need transportation service.

DATTCO’s range of services brought the company high customer volume. “We’re the largest independently owned school bus transportation company in Connecticut,” Lou DeVivo adds, “and remain innovators in the school bus segment.”

The company also customizes extended tours, as well as day-long excursions. “Our most popular multi-day destination was Washington, D.C.,” Don DeVivo says. “Now, we’re getting more diversified destinations from student groups looking for alternatives.” He names Philadelphia, Gettysburg, Williamsburg and Montreal as new travel areas.

Don DeVivo explains that older adults turn to DATTCO for what he refers to as “experiences.” “We’re trying to provide experiences,” he says. “People are looking for more value, more things to do, more options.” Some DATTCO tour destinations have been New York City, Niagra Falls and sports tours. Beyond transportation, DATTCO provides repair services; sells automotive parts, new and used vehicles; and retrofits vehicle accessories, such as wheel chair lifts and wheelchair tie downs. “That aspect operates like a dealership,” Don DeVivo explains. “We’ve got a whole group that just does [wheelchair accessibility] conversions for buses.”

In discussing the services and operations that DATTCO provides, Lou DeVivo does not fail to mention how crucial the employees are to the company. “We have developed a group of people and made them decision makers,” he says. “Additionally, our drivers go through extensive customer service training,” Don DeVivo says. “We feel it’s important because the drivers are the first to interact with the customer.”

Lou DeVivo adds, “Our motto is: ‘Our buses, our people and you.’”