Dean Transportation
Our History
Dean Transportation, Inc., headquartered in Lansing, Michigan was established in 1969 by Lyle L. Stephens, a former Michigan State Police Motor Carrier Lieutenant, under the name of Special Transportation, Inc. In 1986, Kellie P. Dean joined Lyle Stephens, leaving a position with the Lansing School District, where he was in charge of the programs for the Physically or Otherwise Health Impaired and Hearing Impaired. Mr. Dean first worked as a teacher for the SMI-SXI program at Marvin E. Beekman Center and was Director of the Area 8 Special Olympics.
In 1991, the company changed its name to Dean Transportation, Inc., and in 1995, Kellie Dean completed the purchase from Lyle Stephens upon his retirement. Mr. Dean is the sole proprietor of Dean Transportation. Mr. Dean also owns Dean Charters and Tours, Inc. DBA Dean Trailways of Michigan, the Dean Institute, and Dean Management Services, Inc., all headquartered in Lansing, Michigan. Dean Transportation and all of its affiliates are 100% family-owned small businesses, operating school and public transit buses exclusively within the State of Michigan.
The most significant impact that Dean Transportation has made in the Specialized Transportation industry was due to Stephens’ and Dean’s advocacy, in taking legal action against the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the U.S. Department of Transportation, with Attorney Lynwood Beekman, for NHTSA’s and the USDOT’s ongoing failure to develop Federal Guidelines to safely transport Special Needs individuals. After a five-year battle with Washington, new equipment specifications, wheelchairs and tie-down equipment is becoming available for the safety of our nation’s special passengers. Dean Transportation is quite proud of its efforts and its impact for the disabled community.
Today, Dean Transportation serves over 80 school districts, intermediate school districts, and public transit agencies throughout the State of Michigan and has become the largest privately-owned school bus company in Michigan. Dean Transportation has twice been named the top school bus company in North America.
