Nothing makes a road trip more comfortable and fun as much as a charter bus rental. However, before you search for a bus tour near you, you need to first learn the benefits and rules of motorcoach tours.
Advantages of Renting a Charter Bus
Travelling in a group on a road trip can be a stressful task. However, that doesn’t have to be the case when you choose to hire a charter bus company near you to send you to your destination. Riding a coach bus offers the following advantages:
- Greener
Car rentals and bus tour companies in Ontario and from other cities are perfect for road trip escapades. They both offer insurance and instant help during emergencies. However, when it comes to group getaways, you should also mind your carbon footprint.
The safety and comfort of passengers are essential but being eco-conscious is also important. With bus rentals, your party uses fewer vehicles, produces fewer pollutants, and uses less fuel compared to driving individual cars.
- Less stressful
With a larger space and more seat capacity, everyone can comfortably sit, unwind, and take pictures while the hired driver makes sure that you arrive at your destination safely. Not only that, but you don’t have to deal with bladder pain and holding your pee if you hire a coach bus with an onboard lavatory.
- Safe
Road safety is always a top priority for any traveller. Driving alone and driving with friends are two different things as the latter can cause more distraction and place more lives at risk.
With a charter bus, you are safe in the hands of a trained and experienced driver. Their buses’ built-in GPS and personal experiences would also give them an advantage when it comes to knowing the safest and best routes. A private bus is also a safer option compared to public transport while in the midst of a pandemic.
- Convenient (amenities, etc.)
Creature comforts like bathroom breaks, air conditioning, and extra-legroom are must-haves on a long trip. However, when you’re travelling in a group the mere logistics of it is difficult to manage.
With a chartered bus, each member of the party can happily sit back and relax in the comfort of their own space. Other charter bus rentals even have television sets, personal lights, and air conditioning vents that you can personalize to make the travelling experience more enjoyable.
- Comfort
Sitting down for an hour is an easy task. However, long trips in a cramped vehicle can cause stiff neck and leg cramps, making it an excruciating ordeal. A coach bus has ample room and, with the right amenities, can make your trip more comfortable.
With plush seats, ergonomic chairs, cool air conditioning, you can relax or chat away with your friends or family until you reach your destination. Some bus companies even offer multiple envoy caravans for larger groups.
- Can accommodate large groups
The best thing about charter coaches and buses is their size. Perfect for company team building, family vacays, and squad holidays, these huge vehicles can cater to any number of people. They allow you to go from one tourist spot to another with ease and comfort.
No more budging and tripping over luggage with rental buses;they are designed to accommodate a large number of passengers — from 20 to 50. Buses also have overhead and extra storage spaces for your bags and things.
- Opportunity to bond with the group
Road trips are most fun when it’s spent with ice breakers and car games. From sing-alongs, trip Bingos, I spy, and endless chats, bus services are the perfect environment for these activities.
You can’t do these games in a regular car setting, but with chartered bus trips, you get to bond with other passengers more. You can snack comfortably, snuggle up with your friends, and watch movies as you wait.
- Sticking to schedule
No one wants to get stuck in traffic during their vacation. Getting stuck on the road lessens the amount of fun time that you deserve. The main cause of these delayed departures are missed schedules and uncoordinated trip itineraries.
However, coach companies strictly adhere to the timetable. This way, the group can stay on schedule.
- Cheaper than other modes of transport
Using multiple vehicles for your trip is not only more expensive but it’s also more harmful to Mother Nature. Using more fuel, emitting more smoke, and producing more waste –
Going on separate vehicles for your group escapade is the wrong way to go. By hiring bus rentals, you get to save more money since everyone can share the cost of fuel and fare. Not only are you saving up on the budget but also being more eco-friendly.
Planning Your Bus Tour
Renting a bus tour from Toronto could be different when you’re in another city. Certain counties and areas have their own rules, systems, and regulations put in place for bus rentals to avoid accidents and complications. However, there are basic steps to chartering a bus that is considered universal. What are these rental steps? Well, here are some of it:
1. List the bus amenities
The first thing to do when you’re chartering a bus is to know the amenities it offers and how they fit in with the needs of your group. Other bus companies offer different amenities that can improve your trip experience. Many have standard radios, music players, television sets, and built-in toilets. Other buses have built-in audio tours and visual touring features that give you information during your road trip.
2. List down any special needs
Your group road trip should be as inclusive as possible. Canadian bus tours for seniors have certain modifications in their buses that make it more user-friendly for older travellers and differently-abled people. Other buses are more accommodating to wheelchairs, crutches, and other medical equipment to make the travel experience as comfortable as possible.
3. Double check their payment policy
Bus operators and drivers are under their company’s payment policies. Others would have you pay for parking fees, toll fees, and extra gas. Some companies even charge for damage and insurance.
To make sure that you have a clear-cut deal with the bus rental agency, you have to double-check their payment policies. See if there are any additional expenses or hidden fees.
4. Check their safety procedures
The safety of your trip rests heavily on the shoulder of your driver. To reduce the risk of accidents, you need to hire a trusted agency with stellar reviews. Make sure the driver is licensed and experienced. You can even interview the driver beforehand to pinpoint any problematic behaviour that may be dangerous on the road.
5. Check what type of bus is appropriate for your planned route
Knowing your route is integral to the decisions that you make for your bus choices. The size of the bus is directly affected by the wideness of the road that your destination has. You might encounter problems and accidents if your bus is too big for the road.
So, before renting the bus size that fits your group, you also have to consult with maps and tour guides to know if it can pass through your chosen routes.
6. Take federal regulations into account
Great Canadian bus tours are under the working and driver laws of the country. Some areas may have different variations of these rules, but the usual limitations include a 10-hour driving limit for your driver.
The driver should also be on-duty no longer than15 hours a day and have a total of only 70 working hours in 8 days. It’s important to remember these rules if you’re planning on a cross-country road trip. These rules are imposed to avoid overheating the vehicle and for the well-being of your driver.
7. Consult the bus company when planning your itinerary
Planning a personal itinerary and timetable for your trip is important for both the passengers and the chartered bus. This way you can properly coordinate schedules and routes that you have to follow. Giving a trip plan beforehand also allows the driver to picture out the paths beforehand and help them prepare for it.
8. Take loading time into account
Stopping for different tourist attractions are the main highlights and benefits of road trips. It’s like going on side trips before your actual destination. However, to avoid any schedule conflicts, you also have to allow some time for the unloading and loading of passengers. Having a schedule that’s too tight may make it more stressful.
9. Anticipate traffic
Heavy traffic is always inevitable on any trip. It can cause delays and timetable readjustments. However, you don’t have to stress out if you take into account the traffic flow when planning your itinerary.
It’s important to note that traffic is largely affected by weather, rush hours, and road types. So, do a bit of your research first and consult and create plans with your driver to avoid routes prone to heavy traffic.
Having a trip in Canada? Book with Parkinson Coach Lines
Day offs and vacations are a time for you to relax and blow off some steam. And it’s always fun to have your friends, family, and loved ones with you. However, the logistics of transportation can cause a headache. To avoid this, book a bus tour package. This way, you can travel and sightsee in comfort.
If you’re looking to hire a coach bus for your tour, call Parkinson Coach Lines. We have been in the business for over 80 years and can offer you a comfortable and safe passage towards your destination, whether in Canada or the US. Call us today at (905) 451-4776 if you are ready to book our coach rental services or you want to request a quote.