Ten Questions To Ask Party Bus Companies:
1. When renting or hiring a party bus, how many miles or hours are included in the daily price? What is the difference between an out-of-town, local day, bar hopping, sporting or half-day trip (for example) in terms miles, hours, daily rate or flat rate pricing?
2. Does the party or limo bus quote include amenities such as alcohol service, movies, television, sound system, specialized lighting, internet service, bathroom, shower, kitchenette, wet bar and customized air-conditioning? And, what are the charges for any of the described amenities? What other amenities are available?
3. What is the party bus company's cancellation policy? Will that policy be in writing on my invoice, confirmation or your website for me to print? If it isn't, can I receive a complete cancellation policy in writing before a deposit is issued?
4. Who is responsible for delays because of weather, traffic or Acts of God? What kind of delays will cost me additional money? What are additional hourly and mileage costs for my limo or party bus should I go over in time or mileage?
5. What should I reasonably expect to pay as a gratuity for a party bus, limo bus or sleeper bus driver depending on mileage, number of passengers and length of travel day or days? What are the responsibilities of a limo or party bus driver?
6. Can they provide documentation and proof of insurance that show mandatory Federal, State or Provincial minimum insurance of $5,000,000.00 for interstate transportation or vehicles with a seating capacity of more than 15 passengers?
7. Does the limo bus, sleeper bus or party bus company operate it's own buses or will the trip be contracted to another bus company? Will they put into writing that they won't subcontract my party bus, sleeper (band bus) or limo bus rental?
8. Are the party, limo and sleeper buses available for inspection and are they willing to indicate the specific manufacturer, model type and age of the sleeper, limo or party bus rental I will be getting for my trip?
9. Does the party bus or sleeper bus company have its own maintenance yard, and can they issue a copy of their most recent inspection certificate by Federal, State or Provincial authorities?
10. Is the party bus company a member of any associations such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB), ABA (American Bus Association), UMA (United Bus Association), Ontario Motor Coach Association (OMCA), Charter Dispatch (CDIN) or State organization such as Bus Association of New York (BANY)?
Please use these questions as a reference guide during your selection process. Party Bus Charter Dispatch does not make any claims or warranties regarding these questions and urges you to distinguish vague or unclear answers that should trigger additional questions or raise an eyebrow. Always ask explicit and detailed questions such as the referenced questions above and accept nothing less than very specific and detailed answers from prospective party bus carriers.
Ten Things To Understand About Party Bus Companies:
1. Always check if the band bus, limo or party bus company has had complaints or grievances filed with the Better Business Bureau, Charter Dispatch, Federal and State authorities or other regulatory agencies in the recent past.
2. Ratings are one way to determine the fitness of a potential party bus operator. Member ratings at http://www.safer.fmcsa.dot.gov/CompanySnapshot.aspx are available within the PBCD Dynamic Search pages found on each of our member listings. State or Provincial authorities are available when issued by our members and should be carefully inspected and validated as well. Lack of information about carriers should be considered when making your final decision.
3. The easiest way to obtain the lowest limo, sleeper or party bus price is to have our member companies contend for your business through our bid/quote system. But, if you lack the luxury of time contact each party bus company found on our Dynamic Search pages and use the research information found in our directory.
4. Almost 80% of all "so-called" bus company websites that come up on the first page of a Google or Yahoo search are bus brokers. Some even masquerade as party bus brokers. Brokers can charge as much as 20%-100% or more of the actual cost they are paying the party bus carrier for your work. Be vigilant and careful when reading through these sites. And remember, it is their business to be coy and non-specific when revealing any information about themselves. We recommend only using a broker when they will disclose the actual party bus company to you, and are working from a standard 10% broker rate.
5.The total bus industry is comprised of an estimated 10,000+/- regional bus and school bus companies throughout the U.S. and Canada. There are 10 or less dominant bus brokers that are disguised under assorted names and websites. To view a list of these brokers . To advise PBCD of a known party bus broker please email your URL/Domain Name findings through our contact page.
6. Party bus, limo bus and sleeper (band bus) bus company price does not rise and fall as the NYSE. There are price fluctuations due to commodity variables such as fuel. However, a simple rule of thumb can be used for all bus prices. Prices are usually higher on holidays, so book early to guarantee availability and receive the best possible price. And, a reputable bus company rarely increases their price accept when clearly posted in advance on their website.
7. The average deposit for a party bus rental is 50% for over-the-road trips, and you might be required to pay in full before your departure. A deposit for local party bus rentals (especially on holidays) may be as high as 50% and again, full payment may be required before your departure date. Speak to your individual carrier about their deposit requirements before signing any documentation.
8. Party bus drivers (like any other commercial bus drivers) are Federally, State and Provincially prohibited from driving more than 10 hours in any given 24-hour period. They are also prohibited from being "on duty" for more than 15 hours in the same 24-hour period. Please see regulations noted below for details.
9. Party bus rentals are normally priced by the hour for local destinations (with a 4-5 hour minimum) and by the mile for over-the-road trips, or a combination of miles and hours. Some Sleeper (band bus) motor carriers charge only for the actual daily bus usage and wear and tear costs. The consumer then becomes responsible for driver, fuel and all other costs. Please discuss in with your party or sleeper bus company before booking.
10. Although the actual number of buses a carrier operates is not necessarily an indication of whether it is a good or bad bus operator, it does reflect on the out-of-service, accident and driver citation ratios when viewed carefully. Always check to view how many total buses (power units) a company operates by searching: http://www.safer.fmcsa.dot.gov/CompanySnapshot.aspx
Driver Regulations: Federal, State and Provincial driver regulations are very complex. They have been established for your protection and therefore should be unequivocally followed. Accept for extremely few occasions, commercial drivers may not drive more than 10 hours in a single 24-hour period. Commercial drivers may not be on-duty more than 15 hours within the same 24-hour period. And, drivers must calculate their daily logs based on 60 (on duty) hours in 7 days, or 70 (on duty) hours in 8 days. Please confer with your party bus (and especially sleeper bus) company to establish a safely and well-run trip. PBCD says never use any bus company that patently breaks commercial driver regulations.
Ten Reasons To Use A Party, Sleeper or Limo Bus:
1. Motor coaches are twice as safe as flying commercial jetliners and 46 times safer than traveling in a private automobile. Safety figures courtesy of the United States Department of Transportation.
2. Sleeper, limo and party buses can reach more destinations and take you closer to your final target destination. Jet planes and trains can only transport you to intermediate stops that may sometimes be many hours and miles from your final destination.
3. Party buses and sleeper buses allow easier access and more mobility for you, your family, corporate members, religious and tour group passengers. And, these buses are usable for the duration of your trip, tour, excursion or vacation.
4. According to U.S. and Canadian Departments of Transportation, party, limo and sleeper buses (combined average) are the more fuel-efficient vehicles only using 1584 BTU's per passenger mile as compared to planes at 4847, trains at 2450 and automobiles at 3639 BTU's. And, as a group these type buses utilize more bio-diesel than even charter buses and motor coaches.
5. Limo and Party buses are more environmentally friendly than many other forms of transportation because of their comparatively low energy output. With today's cleaner CNG and bio-fuel, party buses are becoming even greener.
6. To rent a party bus or motor coach is typically half the cost of flying business class, not including the added benefit of the bus providing local transportation once you and your guests have arrived at your ultimate destination.
7. Party buses are easily and cost efficiently turned into moveable company and corporate billboards that can travel locally and across the continent. They are typically wrapped with removable vinyl corporate logos and driven from corporate function to public function for months on end. Please speak to your motor coach company about this remarkably cost efficient marketing tool for your company.
8. The use of a sleeper bus (band bus) has been used for years by entertainers of all sorts to travel long distances in a relatively short period of time. Some of these buses are comfortable and lavish beyond comprehension. Others can be used for family and business functions and travel.
9. Party buses and motor coaches provide an excellent alternative to flying for passengers that experience flight phobia. Party and sleeper buses normally have similar or even more extravagant amenities (i.e., bathrooms, beds, kitchenettes, showers, etc.) then even the finest of first class air transportation.
10. Party buses provide a unique and rare opportunity to take pleasure in the beautiful surroundings that you may never see if you are driving your private automobile and certainly if you are flying.
PBCD urges you to speak with some of our bus operators for even more reasons to use limousine, sleeper and party bus motor coaches. We suspect that your chosen party bus company can add to our list of benefits.
Ten Benefits For The Environment:
1. In 2008 the U.S. government mandated strict guidelines for all bus and motor coach emissions using diesel fuel. Bus operators throughout the United States and Canada can now make use of efficient and easily accessed bio-fuels rather than standard diesel. The advent of CNG manufactured engines also benefit the environment. Please discuss fuel options with your party bus company.
2. Every full motor coach has the potential of removing more than 55 private cars from United States and Canadian highways, thereby reducing emissions as well as freeway and highway congestion. While party and limo buses do not seat as many passengers as standard motor coaches, they too can remove as many as 40 private vehicles from already congested roadways.
3. Party bus rental transportation provides an average of 82 passenger miles per gallon of fuel. Single occupant private automobiles achieve not more than an average of 28 miles per passenger gallon.
4. Party bus, limo bus and sleeper bus transportation release the least amount of carbon dioxide per passenger mile when compared to any other mode of conventional transportation.
5. Changing to bus and motor coach travel for the 12,500 miles annually traveled by the average North American automobile would reduce carbon dioxide emissions by a staggering 4.3 tons per automobile.
6. The Union of Concerned Scientists released their study entitled, Getting There Greener: The Guide to Your Lower Carbon Vacation, saying 'A couple traveling in a motor coach (or party bus) would generate almost 50 percent less global warming pollution than if they traveled by driving the family hybrid car.'
7. Many third parties within the academic world and government will help the bus transportation industry to become an even more successful industry for many decades to come. Motor coaches and buses of all types are environmentally friendly and green by virtue of the potential numbers of passenger they can carry.
8. Newer party buses and motor coaches now utilized by bus operators of all kinds throughout the world can employ more efficient fuels rather than diesel. With the arrival of CNG, propane and bio-diesel power plants, bus operators also benefit the environment. Your party bus company may have various fuel options available to you so please discuss directly with them.
9. The additional funding from third parties has enabled the motor coach industry to become more efficient, and is becoming more and more important to more and more people exponentially throughout the world of bus transportation.
10. This fact bares repetition: According to the U.S. and Canada Transportation Departments, buses (inclusive of party, limo and sleeper buses) are the most fuel-efficient transportation vehicles by virtue of only 1584 BTU's per passenger mile as compared to planes 4847 BTU's, trains 2450 BTU's and automobiles 3639 BTU's.
Ten Reasons To Use PBCD:
1. Party Bus Charter Dispatch does not have any stake (financial or otherwise) in the bus company you select as your party bus rental company. We suggest you patronize Party Bus Charter Dispatch members over non-members (also listed) because of our verification processes and research, but the ultimate decision is always left to you.
2. Your party bus quotes are always competitively quoted without any form of collaboration from our members or third parties. Once you've selected a specific party bus rental operator or limo bus company you deal directly with them. Make any payments, communicate itinerary changes or alter plans, etc.
3. Our easily maneuverable and ever expanding website allows your effortless publishing of information about your party bus trip so you can locate the (or they can locate you) best suited company for your needs.
4. We disseminate precise, impartial and full disclosure about every PBCD member (as received and checked by our staff). Party Bus Charter Dispatch makes every effort to authenticate all information issued through our CDIN websites.
5. PBCD offers numerous ways for you to procure a party bus, limo bus or sleeper bus either last minute or planned well in advance. It is recommended that our website visitors/customers use our email posting quote system to receive the most competitively priced bids.
6. Party Bus Charter Dispatch offers you the ability to select any party bus company based on price, ratings or other information that is posted on our website. We also offer you of the most up to date information about limo bus, sleeper bus, band bus and party bus company members.
7. By registering on PBCD you will receive periodic discount offers (if you select the option) for party bus transportation, limousine services, fine restaurant establishments, three and four star hotels, tourist attractions, entertainment venues and more, for small to large groups of travelers.
8. All of your trip information is anonymously displayed and email address is displayed as "Send Email" on our member website. Depending on your pre-selected preferences, you can elect to have company's telephone or fax you quotes. Personal information is never sold or used outside the Charter Dispatch family of websites, that's our guaranteed.
9. Unlike bus brokers, Party Bus Charter never receives a commission regarding your transportation. Our membership pays a very modest monthly charge to receive our marketing services. In many cases the fee is well less than the cost of a 12-volt auto battery or what a broker may add on to a simple airport transfer.
10. Our singular purpose at CDIN is to facilitate bus business for our membership and generate higher standards of safety, service, and reliability for the bus traveling population of the world.
Party Bus Charter Dispatch is one of many websites within the Charter Dispatch International Network (CDIN). CDIN sites are free to the consumer. When looking for a charter bus please go to www.buscharterdispatch.com. If you're looking for a limousine please go to www.limocharterdispatch.com. If looking for a tour please go to www.tourcharterdispatch.com. Frequently check back with any of the abovementioned sites to see our newest additions.
Bus Charter Dispatch hope you will use these questions as a reference during your selection process of a tour and charter bus company. Bus Charter Dispatch makes no warranties regarding these questions and urges you to recognize vague and ambiguous answers that leave room for additional or follow up questions. Always be specific and accept nothing less than very precise and detailed answers.
