After spending all of my money on things like mortgages and bills for about twenty years, I finally decided that it was time to take a trip to enjoy my life. I began researching different parts of the world that would interest me and my family, and I settled on a European vacation fit for a king. We stayed in all of the best hotels and focused on eating out and enjoying our time away from home, and by the time we got back, we felt great about the progress we had made. I wanted to make a blog all about saving money on the road, so you can travel more and worry less.
Going on a road trip with 10, 20, or 50 of your closest friends can be a lot of fun but making the transport arrangements for that many people can be challenging as well. If you're planning on renting a charter bus for your adventure, here are two tips for saving money and ensuring you get the best ride possible.
Book Directly with the Bus Company
If saving money is your biggest priority, then it's important you take every precaution to make reservations for the bus directly with the bus company rather than through a broker. A bus broker is a third-party company who has contracts with a variety of bus companies and makes reservations for the dates you want with the company offering the lowest price.
Although it may be convenient to have a broker perform this task for you, you may not see any savings, since many charge a flat rate and make their profits on the difference between what they charge you and the rate they're quoted from the bus company. Additionally, some brokers charge a fee for their service, so you may actually be paying much more than you would if you had made the reservations yourself.
Do your own legwork and use the internet to locate the best prices on charter buses and then call the companies directly to make the reservation. Not only will you save money, but you'll know exactly which company you will be working with and the quality of service you can expect from the business.
Check for SPAB Certification
Even if your trip doesn't include transporting children, it's a good idea to see if the bus company has a SPAB (School Pupil Activity Bus) certificate. This is a special certification a commercial bus company must obtain to be eligible to transport kids and teens to school-sponsored events (e.g., sports games, school trips).
A SPAB certificate requires the companies' buses to pass a stringent safety inspection and drivers must have additional training in handling situations involving kids while on the road. This extra certification means you won't have to worry as much about the safety of the bus and driver the company sends to transport you and your crew to your destination.
For more tips on booking the best charter bus for your trip or to make a reservation for an upcoming event, contact a local charter bus company like Barrington Transportation Co for assistance.
Share6 March 2018
