In any city, it can be frustrating to weave through traffic, wait in long lines to get on the highway, and find parking at your favorite eatery. For this reason, many people who live in urban areas give up trying to own a car, and simply ride the bus.
Buses have been a part of the transportation system in the U.S. for several decades. They typically offer a number of routes for cheaper prices than a subway system, making them a popular way to travel.
But this does not only apply to local transportation. Buses can be a great way to make a six-hour trip without having to worry about driving, or gas money. On longer trips, coach buses will be even more comfortable.
Coach buses, also called charter buses, are built for longer journeys, and often have a luggage hold at the bottom for passengers. You can rent these if you are traveling as a big family, headed out on a vacation. The seats are more comfortable, and the vehicle may also have TV’s, DVD players, a bathroom, and even WiFi capabilities, making for a much more pleasant ride.
But it is important to seek out the right chartered bus service for you and your family’s safety. Here are a few things to watch out for.
- Cost. You will first want to know how much it costs to charter a coach bus. It won’t be the cheapest thing to do, but if you split the money amongst your extended family, it’ll be manageable. The cost will depend on how far you are traveling, how long you will be there for, and sometimes, the fuel. Be sure to look around for quotes before you pick one.
- Size. You can try to find a smaller coach bus if you are only going to be going in a group of 10 or 15. Many of these buses seat at least 30 people, and will not be worth the investment if you don’t have enough bodies to fill the seats. Instead, check for a mini-coach bus, and see if that will suffice.
- Safety.You can ask the coach bus company for records of any accidents, what their company’s safety rating is, and also ask them about how much insurance they have. You will want to know what is covered by insurance, and what happens if the vehicle stops working for some reason. If they refuse to give you this information, or you see too many complaints or accident reports, it will be a red flag.
So, get your family together, and plan a last minute getaway. Once you hand over the driving to the company, you can just sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride.
