Bortner Tours will close its doors on Nov. 1 after nearly 60 years in business.

Travelways, which bought the company in 1997 from the Bortner family, decided to close the South Pymatuning Township bus and motorcoach operation and sell off certain assets to Anderson Coach & Tour, Sugar Grove Township. No sales price was given.

Bortner’s school bus operations were not part of the agreement with Anderson. However, school bus services will continue to be provided by Student Transfer of America.

"We are extremely excited to be able to transition a portion of the business to Anderson Coach & Tour,’’ said David Batchelor, a Bortner Tours/Travelways company representative. "Former Bortner customers will have a willing and able motorcoach company ready to serve them.’’

Anderson will work with Bortner customers to do what they can to operate the scheduled Bortner tours and charters. Bortner will notify customers if a tour and charter reservations will be canceled.

"We plan to continue to run as many retail tours and charters as possible to accommodate those with reservations or contracts under the Bortner name,’’ said Doug Anderson, president of the bus company.

"Many times when a business closes, customers are left without consideration. It is our goal to not let that happen,’’ Anderson said. "We want previous Bortner customers to understand that we are here for the long term and are anxious to let them experience what our company stands for.’’

Anderson said it believes it is the only locally owned and operated motorcoach company in Mercer County which owns its own motorcoaches.

With a fleet of 50 motorcoaches and 30 school buses, Anderson carries more than 500,000 people annually. The Greenville-area company has the school bus contract for Reynolds Area School District. Founded in 1937 by the late O.D. Anderson, the company continues to be owned and operated by the Anderson family.

On the net:

www.goanderson.com