For more than a decade, the prestigious BUSRide Good Stewardship Award has honored individuals who exemplify outstanding leadership, ethics, and dedication to customer service in the motorcoach industry. This year, the American Bus Association is proud to announce that Scott Riccio, owner of Northeast Charter and Tour, has been named the 2025 BUSRide Good Stewardship Award recipient.

A Visionary Leader in the Motorcoach Industry

Scott Riccio’s journey in the transportation sector began in 1999 when he founded Northeast Charter and Tour in Lewiston, Maine, with just one motorcoach. Through his strong leadership and unwavering commitment to excellence, his company has since expanded into a thriving enterprise with 13 coaches, three mini-buses, passenger vans, and SUVs, providing a wide range of charter and tour services.

A Champion for the Industry

Riccio’s advocacy for the motorcoach industry has been pivotal. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he lobbied U.S. Senators from Maine for federal relief, ensuring the industry received the support it desperately needed to recover. His engagement with organizations such as The Institute for Family-Owned Business highlights his dedication to strengthening family-run enterprises in Maine.

Committed to Community and Sustainability

Riccio and Northeast Charter and Tour have significantly contributed to their community through various philanthropic efforts. Notable initiatives include:

Potato Palooza is an annual charity event that donates tons of potatoes to food banks and shelters.

Stuff the Bus is a campaign that collects donations for local community groups.

Organizing a GoFundMe campaign that raised nearly $20,000 for a Northeast Charter driver who lost his home and belongings.

Beyond community engagement, Riccio has championed environmentally friendly business practices for over a decade. His efforts have earned his company several prestigious sustainability awards:

2013 ABA Green Spirit Award for environmental stewardship.

2014 UMA Green Highway Award for adopting sustainable initiatives, such as switching to natural gas for heating, implementing a comprehensive waste oil and product recycling program, and transitioning to an all-digital system for driver logs and company communications.

Industry Involvement

Riccio’s influence extends across multiple industry organizations, where he remains an active member of:

Greater Northeast Motorcoach Association

International Motorcoach Group

United Motorcoach Association

American Bus Association

A Well-Deserved Honor

Scott Riccio’s remarkable leadership, dedication to ethical business practices, and commitment to environmental sustainability have impacted the motorcoach industry. His tireless advocacy and community contributions exemplify what it means to be a true industry steward.

Please join us in congratulating Scott Riccio, the 2025 BUSRide Good Stewardship Award recipient!

Every year for more than a decade, the coveted BUSRide Good Stewardship Award has recognized one individual who is considered an ambassador; a dedicated professional who not only provides the highest level of customer service, but who also helps guide the industry forward as a champion of ethics, strong values, safety, operational excellence, and unparalleled leadership.

BUSRide, in tandem with the American Bus Association, is proud to announce Scott Riccio, owner of Northeast Charter & Tour, is the winner of the 2025 BUSRide Good Stewardship Award.

A dynamic leader in the motorcoach industry, Riccio’s influence has been apparent since he founded Northeast Charter and Tour in Lewiston, Maine, in 1999 with just one motorcoach. Under Riccio’s leadership, the company has grown to a fleet of 13 coaches, three minibuses, plus passenger vans and SUVs, offering a variety of charter and tour services.

Through his tireless efforts, Riccio has demonstrated an exceptional ability to lead with integrity and a deep sense of responsibility towards his community and the environment.

During COVID-19, Riccio lobbied U.S. Senators from Maine for much-needed federal relief for the motorcoach industry. He participates in The Institute for Family-Owned Business, which serves family business owners, executives, and employees through a wide range of continuing education programs, networking opportunities and consulting services. The Institute is a comprehensive resource for family-owned businesses throughout Maine.

Northeast Charter & Tour participated in the annual “Potato Palooza,” a charity event that donates tons of potatoes (literally) to food banks and shelters to feed the hungry. “This was a fun event,” said Riccio, adding that the companies made direct donations. “In turn, we all received one ton of freshly harvested Maine potatoes. We gave them away to employees, friends, and family, plus we provided hundreds of pounds to food shelters and food pantries in our towns.”

Northeast Charter also sponsor the annual “Stuff the Bus” school readiness program that provides backpacks, school supplies and other items to prepare low-income students for the first day of school and to ensure their success throughout the school year.

When a Northeast Charter driver lost his home and possessions last year, Northeast Charter & Tour organized a GoFundMe that raised almost $20,000.

In addition to his deep involvement in community initiatives, Riccio has been a fervent advocate for eco-friendly business practices for more than a decade. His unwavering dedication to sustainability has garnered his company several awards in recognition of its environmental achievements, including:

In 2013, Northeast Charter and Tour won the ABA Green Spirit Award for environmental stewardship

In 2014, the company won the UMA Green Highway Award by switching to natural gas to head the company’s headquarters, running a robust waste oil and product recycling program, and moving to all-digital for driver logs and company communications.

As involved in the motorcoach industry as he is in his own company, Riccio is an active member of the Greater Northeast Motorcoach Association, the International Motorcoach Group; the United Motorcoach Association, and the American Bus Association.

Riccio’s outstanding leadership, steadfast dedication to ethical business practices, and unwavering commitment to environmental sustainability have left a profound impact on the motorcoach industry.

His ceaseless advocacy for the industry and his countless contributions to the community serve as a shining example of what it means to be a true steward of the industry. His work not only sets a high standard for others in the industry but also inspires future generations to follow in his footsteps.

BUSRide and the American Bus Association applaud Riccio, winner of the 2025 BUSRide Good Stewardship Award.