Top 10 Things to Know Before Chartering a Bus

1. You can check a company's safety rating at www.safer.fmcsa.dot.gov/CompanySnapshot.aspx.
2. You can check to see if the company has had any complaints filed with the Better Business Bureau, search.BBB.org.
3. Unlike the airline industry, no site providing instant quotes and availability exists in the bus industry. (The best way to get the lowest quotes is to contact each company individually.)
4. Most websites first found on the internet are national brokers or "networks" adding on average, a 38% commission to the cost of your trip.
5. You can check to see how many buses a company owns by running a search on the DOT's link above (see #1) and check the number of power units registered.
6. The bus industry is made up of about 5,000 local and regional bus companies accross the US and Canada. There are no national services that own buses.
7. Prices do not typically rise as the travel date draws near or in times of low availability.
8. The average deposit to book a bus is 10% for trips over the road.
9. Operators cannot drive more than 10 hours following 8 consecutive hours off-duty.
10. Charters are typically priced by the hour for local use, or by the mile for out-of-state trips averaging more than 275 miles per day.

Top 10 Questions to Ask Before Chartering a Bus

1. For trips over the road: How many local miles are allowed per day after reaching your destination? What is the charge for exceeding them?
2. Does the quote include parking and tolls?
3. What is your cancellation policy?
4. Who pays for the driver's hotel room and board? Is 10% the standard driver gratuity with your company?
5. What is your procedure in the event of a breakdown?
6. Can you provide proof of insurance? (The state requires a $5 million policy.)
7. Does your company own the bus, or will it be brokered out?
8. Is the bus available for inspection before chartering?
9. Are you members of any associations? (ABA, UMA, MCC, NTA)
10. Does your company have its own maintenance facility?