Motorcoach Shopping
Ask adult travelers and students to name their most vital motorcoach amenity, and they will probably give different answers. Cavallo Bus Lines, a 75-year-old company that operates 114 motorcoaches in three Midwest locations, has heard them all.
“The amenity preference depends on the style and age of the group,” said David Warren, CEO of Cavallo Bus Lines, based in Gillespie, Illinois. “To some senior groups, comfortable seats are really important. They are looking for comfort because they are usually on the coach for multiple days. Wi-Fi has recently become popular for some groups, so they have the ability to do their own thing on the devices they bring onboard the motorcoach.”
Other typical amenities include a restroom, a DVD player, seat belts and electronic charging outlets. For groups looking for luxury, motorcoach companies like Premier Transportation can even provide equipment for watching live sports on board.
“Our most popular amenity is Wi-Fi, but we also have DVD players and satellite TV,” said Rigsby. “A lot of people are blown away by the satellite TV. I was, too, when we first brought that in.”
Operators like Premier offer various motorcoach passenger sizes with a focus on the commonly requested 56-passenger motorcoach. Vehicle sizes range from a 14-passenger minicoach to the gigantic 81-passenger double-decker bus.
Once tour planners figure out the type of motorcoach to book, they should keep several potential costs in mind when requesting bus charter quotes.
“The biggest factor in price is mileage,” said Bush. “Depending on the tour, a number of other things affect it as well. The weekends are particularly busy; we have a higher price for motorcoach charters on the weekends. Calling to book at the last minute, you could also get a surcharge.”
The customer will also be responsible for any bills incurred during travel, such as vehicle permits, parking fees and tolls. Meals and nightly accommodations for the driver also fall under the planner’s responsibility. Proactive planners can check with restaurant and hotel staffs about comped meals and rooms, since this is a common practice to encourage group business.
Finding a Partner
Even after tour planners nail down the numerous details needed to collect price quotes from different companies, more research is needed before selecting a final operator.
“Do your homework,” said Dennis. “With the internet now, the information is easy to get. Read the reviews. Ask for a copy of the insurance. Ask for references. Look for referrals from friends about who they have traveled with, and listen to their experiences.”
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration publishes safety ratings, hours of service compliance, crash reports and inspection results for every commercial transportation operator. Tour planners can check the safety records free online.
Some companies require their drivers to complete a certified driver training program. Since the industry suffers from driver shortages, this reassures groups they aren’t relying on a newly hired and inexperienced driver for their safety. Other safety measures to investigate include seat belts, the company’s insurance policy and membership to respected organizations like the American Bus Association.
After tour planners thoroughly scrutinize their chosen charter company, many don’t desire to repeat that process with each new trip. Since travelers frequently equate the motorcoach driver with the tour company, once planners find a reliable charter company, they tend to stick with that operator.
“You want reputable operators that put safety first,” said Warren. “Don’t always choose on price. That’s difficult in an open market because you might give up trained drivers to cut cost. Vet the operators, and make sure they have experience servicing this type of market. It’s not just picking up people and transferring them from one location to another. The bus company is part of the face of the tour company. It’s certainly a partnership.”
