Contact the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to help you find the safest carriers in your area. The FMCS is the bus and truck safety agency and part of the Department of Transportation. The FMCS will help you identify the companies that are fully qualified to carry your passengers safely.
Locate a charter bus company in your area. Local charters tend to give better fares than charters in a nearby state. Get recommendations from family and friends on buses they have chartered or have been a passenger on. You will be more confident in your selection if you speak with someone who has used the charter service. Check online reviews for the company you are considering. Passengers give detailed service reviews about their overall experiences.
Compare prices and amenities. Prices are based on what you want to offer your group. For example, if you will be traveling on the bus over four hours, you may want to charter a bus with restroom facilities. If you are traveling with children, you may want to consider chartering a bus with TVs and a DVD player. Determine the size of the motorcoach and the amenities you want for your passengers. Count the number of people in your group to be sure you don't need more than one bus.
Ask for Insurance certificates. An insurance certificate is a document issued by an insurance broker that verifies insurance coverage to a specific individual or company. According to Cardinal Bus Tours, if the bus company is authorized for interstate service, the minimum liability coverage should be $5 million. Proper insurance certificates are needed to cover the liability of the bus company and its passengers.
Check for proof that a mechanical inspection was completed in the past 12 months. Most states issue decals on buses or paperwork you can request with your contract to ensure the buses are in good condition.
Review policies and procedures with the bus carrier. Understand refund conditions, cancellation policies, the initial deposit fee and the final payment date. Make sure all discussed conditions are in your contract. The contract is your agreement to the terms of the bus carrier and their agreement to provide quality service.
Confirm that there will be two drivers on your bus If you are traveling for more than 10 hours. According to The American Bus Association, Long or quick-turn-around trips may require an extra driver to adhere to federal hours of service safety requirements.
