Limousine Resources
Oh You Magic Bus
Top 10 Things to Know Before Chartering a Bus
- You can check a company's government safety rating and insurance by visiting www.safer.fmcsa.dot.gov/CompanySnapshot.aspx.
- Availability varies depending on season, day of week, and area and may require booking 21 to 90 days in advance.
- Companies will typically deadhead (travel empty) in from up to 1 hour away for multi-day trips.
- The average deposit to book a bus is 10% for trips over the road.
- Full-size coaches averaged $2.66 per mile in 2004 for trips over the road.
- Operators cannot drive more than 10 hours following 8 consecutive hours off-duty.
- Prices do not typically rise as the travel date draws near or in times of low availability.
- Companies may subcontract your trip out to another bus company if they become over-sold.
- Charters are typically priced by the hour for local use, and by the mile when trips average more than 300 miles per day.
- A majority of companies will allow alcohol on-board with a refundable deposit of $150.
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Top 10 Questions to Ask Before Chartering a Bus
- Does the company have its own maintenance program?
- Does the quote include parking and tolls?
- For trips over the road: How many local miles are allowed per day after reaching your destination? What is the charge for exceeding them?
- Does the company own the bus you will use, or will it be brokered out?
- What is their cancellation policy?
- Is the bus available for inspection before chartering?
- What affiliations are they members of?/How involved in the industry are they?
- Can they provide a insurance certificate showing they have the state required $5 million in coverage?
- Does the bus operator have a cell phone and the company, a 24 hour phone line in case of a breakdown?
- Who pays for the driver's hotel room?
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