History
Our Timeline
For more than 50 years, Stout’s Charter Service has proudly served the Northeast as a third-generation family business. The story began with Harry Stout Sr., who worked in a rubber factory by day and drove a school bus by night. His entrepreneurial spirit soon led him and his wife, Marian, to purchase “his and her” milk trucks, marking the start of the family business.
Driven to grow, Harry Sr. left bus driving to establish Stout’s Bus Service. Marian became one of the first female school bus drivers in the area, while Harry Sr. expanded the fleet with two 1953 Chevy school buses—an investment that set the stage for the company’s steady growth.
To this day, Stout’s remains a proud family-owned and operated business, now led by Tim Stout, Shawn Stout, and Harry Stout IV. The company continues to thrive from its long-standing home at 20 Irven Street in Trenton, NJ.
Harry Stout Sr., a WWII veteran, transitioned from factory work to founding Stout’s Bus Service, driven by entrepreneurial spirit and family support. Starting with milk delivery trucks and used school buses, he transformed a toxic wasteland known as “Skunk Hollow” into the company’s headquarters, laying the foundation for a respected transportation business. Marian, Harry Sr.'s wife, claimed a place in history by becoming the first female school bus driver.
Safety, community, and family values drive Stout’s Bus Service through industry changes and growth. The 1970s marked a period of growth and innovation for Stout’s, with Harry Sr. implementing safety programs, first aid training, and employee support systems like on-site childcare. His dedication to community and employees fostered loyalty, while the company adapted to industry changes such as integration and special needs transportation, with Harry Jr. beginning to take on leadership roles.
In the 1980s, "Shane" Harry Stout III and his wife Dena launched Stout’s Charter Service, transforming the company with luxury motorcoaches and bold leadership. With the introduction of European-style SETRA coaches, elevating the company’s image and service standards, and solidifying its reputation in the motorcoach industry.
Stout’s Charter Service thrives through strategic growth, family involvement and a renewed focus on motorcoach excellence. The 1990s were a decade of rapid expansion for Stout’s, driven by Shane’s leadership and a dedicated team. The company streamlined operations by focusing on motorcoach services, growing to a fleet of 21 vehicles and welcoming the next generation — Tim and Shawn — into the business, each carving out their own path within the family legacy.
A new headquarters, broader markets, and full family involvement mark a defining decade for Stout’s Transportation. Stout’s underwent a major transformation in the 2000s, merging its operations into a modern facility and evolving into Stout’s Transportation. With expanded markets, cutting-edge logistics, and all three sons contributing to the business, the company embraced innovation while honoring its roots.
The third generation of the Stout family—Tim, Shawn, and Harry Stout IV—had the privilege of taking ownership of Stout’s Enterprise. Under their leadership, the company expanded into a multi-terminal operation. They began providing transportation shuttles for communities and corporate clients, as well as fixed-route services for various townships. Additionally, they secured a contract with a hospital to offer non-ambulatory transportation services. In recognition of their growth and impact, Stout’s Enterprise was honored as the 2017 Company of the Year by the New Jersey Small Business Development Center (NJSBDC).
Stout’s Enterprise successfully navigated the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, thanks to the strong relationships built over many years in the industry and the company’s diverse service offerings. As part of a strategic reorganization, the leadership team prioritized educating all new employees on the importance of customer service and the core values passed down from their father, Harry Stout, to the third generation.
The company also underwent a rebranding initiative to better reflect its evolving mission and services. Facility upgrades were completed, and the outside service repair operations were expanded to meet growing demand. In addition, the company invested in electric vehicle (EV) training for its mechanics to stay ahead of industry trends and support sustainable transportation solutions.
