Taylor's Transportation Blog

Hiring a bus can be very convenient when travelling as a large group: not only do you reduce the economic and environmental impact of riding in multiple vehicles, but you also have the convenience of a vehicle that can take you right where you need to go (unlike a train or plane for instance). To get the most out of your bus hire, the following are tips for assessing potential transporters as well as using their services once you're on the road.

1. Ask the right questions

Depending on the length of your trip, find out whether the company makes arrangements for necessary on-road maintenance. You should know whether the price paid includes road toll and parking fees, any charges for exceeding the prescribed daily mileage (if there's a cap) and who pays for the driver's food and accommodation while on the road. Also find out what their cancellation or trip modification policy is.

2. Confirm safety

Depending on your state, there are stipulated safety regulations that all buses must adhere to. You can start there to find out what you need to look for in a bus company. Generally, confirm that they have up-to-date insurance cover for the bus you'll be taking. Whether or not they own the bus, ask to see the bus owner's insurance certificate and ask how insurance claims are handled in the latter case.

Before leaving, confirm that the driver has a cell phone and radio for communication with the dispatch office in case of a breakdown. You should also have a spare tyre, some water, a fire extinguisher and other basic tools and materials that would come in handy in case of an emergency.

3. Book early

A good rule-of-thumb is to book for your trip 1-3 months in advance. If you're visiting a place during high-traffic seasons e.g. coming into town for a convention or visiting a tourist destination, early booking allows you to get the best the company has to offer. You will probably need to pay a certain percentage of the total cost in deposit to reserve the bus. Confirm with the bus company that you won't be subcontracted to a different company or given a different bus because they got over-booked.

The advantage of bus hire is that their prices should be fixed based on rates like fuel consumption, mileage and/or duration of travel. Stay away from companies that raise hiring rates closer to your travelling date.

4. Plan for long trips

Safety regulations dictate that a driver can only handle up to ten hours of driving after which he/she must rest for at least eight hours. If you're taking a trip that requires long driving hours, you'll need two drivers. Even when driving lasts fewer than ten hours, plan your trip such that your rest stops are sufficient to allow the driver to recuperate.