Sierra Stage Coaches, Inc. is one of the most trusted and widely-used means of group transportation in the Houston region. Founded in 1982 as a family-owned venture, Sierra has provided motorcoach transportation to leisure, education and corporate groups for over 25 years. Sierra remains a family-owned business today and has gained a reputation as a dependable, customer-service oriented transportation provider.

With a group of coaches ranging in size from 44 to 59 passengers, Sierra continues to upgrade its’ fleet. Plans for the future include the addition of two new motorcoaches each year to insure that as Houston’s premier motorcoach provider, Sierra can continue to fulfill the growing needs of the meetings and convention market. Sierra has developed a unique working relationship with many Houston-based companies that can provide smaller types of transportation, including cars and limos.

Sandra Reid, the Corporate and Convention Services Manager, has been a vital part of Sierra since 1996 and is considered a key source of information on the travel and tourism industry. A native Houstonian, Reid has worked her entire career in the travel, tourism, and transportation sector of society. Reid’s primary focus has been on the leisure tour market and the transportation needs of convention groups and special events that choose Houston as their destination. Reid recognizes her role in the success of the city and challenges others in her industry to “be better ambassadors for our city.”

Below Reid shares her expertise on Sierra Stage Coaches, Inc., transportation and infrastructure in Houston and what makes Houston a great city for visitors and locals alike.

Why is the Sierra Stage Coaches, Inc. important to the greater Houston area?
Sierra provides a quality but economical means of transportation for visitors. Many school districts and area universities utilize our motorcoaches for their student travel. Sierra provides service to local city governments, churches, museums and private organizations that offer field trip programs. Sierra often provides motorcoaches for city-wide special events. Sierra and other motorcoach companies play an important role in the Gulf Coast in times of disasters such as Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

What makes Sierra Stage Coaches different from other transportation services?
Sierra is a family-owned business and all of the employees of Sierra feel they are an important member of the family. Most of Sierra’s key personnel including sales staff, motorcoach operators and mechanics have been a part of the Sierra family for over ten years. Sierra is large enough to handle most client needs with our own equipment and small enough to provide personal service to every client.

How would you rate the quality of a Sierra Stage Coach ride?
Sierra’s motto is “Ride with the Best”. We strive to ensure that every charter we provide meets this goal. Every motorcoach is inspected for cleanliness and mechanical performance. Motorcoaches are equipped with A/C, a clean restroom and a DVD system for our guests’ enjoyment. We encourage customers to complete a performance survey form after each charter and we attempt to honor all customer requests for specific drivers.

Is the infrastructure in Houston adequate or does the structure of the city make traveling difficult?
Improvements to Houston’s infrastructure are visible everywhere. The size of our city can be intimidating to visitors and convention attendees who have to travel long distances to meetings or events. Motorcoach charter or shuttle service is a great way to ease the transition of meeting attendees through local traffic to reach the location of their meeting, wedding, sporting event or other activities.

How does Sierra Stage Coaches contribute to the overall transportation sector of the economy?
Sierra contributes as both an employer and an ambassador promoting Houston and its many benefits to groups nationwide. Convention and meeting planners who have chosen Sierra for their transportation needs spread the word to others in their industry about the quality service that we provide. Houston’s reputation as a convention destination grows as quality service is provided by companies in the tourism and travel industry.

How does Sierra Stage Coaches make meetings and events more enjoyable in the Houston area?
Sierra’s sales staff and motorcoach drivers are shining examples of Houston’s friendly attitude towards our neighbors and visitors. Our sales staff lets prospective clients know how much we want them to come to Houston. Our drivers share information about our city with passengers as we transport them from their hotels to the convention facilities. They are always willing to help if an emergency arises or a guest needs special assistance.

Why is Houston a great place to live, work and play?
Houston’s diverse population and endless opportunities makes it a perfect place for people of many interests and needs. Houston has a wide variety of neighborhoods that reflect the city’s kaleidoscope of cultures. Houston has an amazing number of unique museums, attractions, restaurants and shopping opportunities. And Houston has it all for sports enthusiasts!

What is the one thing that meeting attendees should know about Houston?
Many visitors to our city are often surprised at what they find here. They are surprised at the friendliness of the people and the wide range of interesting things to do. Houston is a wonderful place to live, work and visit.

Sandra Reid
Corporate and Convention Services Manager
Sierra Stage Coaches, Inc.