Travelogue

Before you take your next Charter bus  trip, take a moment to peruse the travel articles provided here for your information and enjoyment. Have an informative travel article of your own? We will be happy to include it here, or leave a comment.

 

Cities Served

 Alabama: Birmingham, Huntsville, Madison, Mobile, Montgomery, Tuscumbia, Tuscaloosa, Decatur, Huntsville, Dothan
Arkansas: Little Rock, Fort Smith, Pine Bluff, Fayetteville, Jonesboro
Arizona: Mesa, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe, Tucson, Flagstaff
California: Berkeley, Branford, Brea, Castroville, Chula Vista, Costa Mesa, Escondido, Fresno, Garden Grove, Los Angeles, Merced, Modesto, National City, Norwalk, Ontario, Pasadena, Placentia, Rancho Cucamonga, Sacramento, Salinas, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Jose, Santa Ana, South San Francisco, Stockton, Sunnyvale, Vernon, Redding, Bakersfield, Anaheim, Riverside
Colorado: Denver, Colorado Springs, Boulder, Fort Collins, Greeley, Durango
Conecticut: Hartford, Bridgeport, New Haven, Waterbury, Danbury, Stamford
DC: Washington D.C.
Deleware: all cities
Florida: Coral Springs, Fort Lauderdale, Gainesville, Jacksonville, Lake City, Lakeland, Longwood, Miami, Ocala, Orlando, Sebring, Tallahassee, Pensacola, Daytona Beach, Deltona, Spring Hill, Tampa, Sarasota, Cape Coral, West Palm Beach, Key West, Palm Bay, Naples
Georgia: Atlanta, East Point, Albany, Columbus
Indiana: Indianapolis, Bloomington, Terre Haute, Evansville, Louisville, Lafayette, Gary, South Bend, Fort Wayne, Muncie
Iowa: Des Moines, West Burlington, Iowa City, Cedar Rapids, Waterloo, Sioux City, Davenport, Mason City
Idaho: Twin Falls, Boise, Idaho Falls, Pocatello, Nampa, Coeur D’ Alene
Illinois: Chicago, Elgin Aurora, Joliet, Peoria, Champaign, Springfield, Decatur
Kansas: Topeka, Wichita, Olathe, Manhattan, Salina, Hays, Newton, Hutchinson, Dodge City, Garden City, Liberal
Kentucky: Louisville, Paducah, Bowling Green, Evansville, Louisville, Lexington
Louisiana: New Orleans, Shreveport, Baton Rouge, Lake Charles, Alexandria, Monroe
Maine: Portland, Biddeford, Gorham, Brunswick, Lewiston, Augusta, Waterville, Bangor
Massachusets: Boston, Springfield, Worcester, Springfield, Brockton, Lowell
Maryland: Alexandria, Baltimore, District Heights
Michigan: An Arbor, Grand Rapids, Lansing, Kalamazoo, Detroit
Minnesota: Marshall, St. Cloud, St. Paul, Minneapolis, Rochester
Missouri: St. Louis, Kansas City, Columbia, Springfield, St. Joseph, Duluth
Mississippi: Jacksonville, Richland, Starkville, Gulfport, Natchez, Hattiesburg
Montana: Great Falls Missoula, Billings, Glacier National Park
Nebraska: Omaha, Lincoln, Norfolk, Columbus, Kearney, North Platte
New Jersey: Cape May, all cities
Nevada: Henderson, Las Vegas, Reno, Sparks
New Hampshire: Manchester, Nashua, Concord, Lebanon, Salem, Portsmouth, Dover, Rochester
New Mexico: Albuquerque, Las Cruces, Carlsbad, Roswell, Santa Fe, Taos
New York: Albany, Coxsackie, Middletown, Ronkonkoma, Schenectady, Vails Gate, West Hempstead, New York City, Buffalo, Rochester
North Dakota: Bismarck, Williston, Minot, Devils Lake, Dickinson, Jamestown, Fargo, Valley City
North Carolina: Charlotte, Greensboro, Winston-Salem, Concord, Raleigh, Greenville, Jacksonville, Fayetteville, Wilmington, Asheville
Ohio: Columbus, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Toledo, Mansfield
Oklahoma: Tulsa, Oklahoma City, Bartlesville, Enid, Muskogee, El Reno, Chickasha, Lawton, Altus, Duncan, Ardmore, Ada, McAlester
Oregon: Portland, Eugene, Salem, Bend, Medford, Hood River
Pennsylvania: Allentown, Wilkes-Barre, Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, Reading, York, Philadelphia, Scranton, Jamestown
Rhode Island: Providence, Cranston, Warwick, Pawtucket, Fall River, New Bedford
South Carolina: Lancaster, Augusta, Greenville, Myrtle Beach, Charleston
South Dakota: Rapid City, Sioux Falls, Hot Springs, Spearfish, Mitchell, Huron, Aberdeen, Watertown, Brookings
Tennessee: Chattanoga, Knoxville, Memphis, Nashville
Texas: Austin, Beaumont, College Station, Dallas, Fort Worth, Galveston, Houston, Hutto, Killeen, San Antonio, San Marcos, Waco, Amarillo, Lubbock, Wichita Falls, Denton, Plano, Longview, Tyler, Odessa, Midland, El Paso, San Angelo, Temple, Bryan, Corpus Christi, Victoria, Harlingen, Brownsville, McAllen, Del Rio, Texarkana
Utah: Salt Lake City, Ogden, Cedar City, St. George
Vermont: Burlington, Rutland, Hanover, Middlebury, Essex, Barre, St. Albans
Virginia: Roanoke, Richmond, Virginia Beach Newport News, Charlottesville
Washington: Bellingham, Mt. Vernon, Everett, Seattle, Tacoma, Olympia, Yakima, Spokane, Kennewick, Port Angeles, Moses Lake, Pullman, Walla Walla, Ellensburg, Longview
West Virginia: Charleston, Clarksburg, Parkersburg, Morgantown
Wisconsin: Milwaukee, Madison, Eau Claire, Green Bay, Appleton
Wyoming: Casper, Rawlins, Rock Springs, Jackson, Cody, Powell, Buffalo, Sheridan, Gillette, Yellowstone National Park

 

 

 

Travel agent/ Affiliate Program

Busbaby.com releases the much anticipated web application into the travel and tourism market. ‘The Estmator’ will allow consumers and travel professionals the ability to generate an instant quote online. This revolutionary tool will bring the charter bus industry into the 21st century by streamlining the historically slow, cumbersome, and labor intensive quote process. Consumers will embrace the speed and ease of use, travel professionals will herald their new found ability to provide enhanced cunstomer service, and charter bus companies will see increased time management, business traffic, and revenue. Busbaby.com predicts that ‘The Estimator’ will become a universally adopted, industry standard

 

 

May 19, 2009 (FPRC) — Busbaby.com (www.busbaby.com) today announced the launch of their newly developed web application ‘The Estimator’. Under development for several months, the application will allow customers and travel professionals to instantly generate personalized quotes for charter bus travel.

The customizable application allows charter bus companies to download their pricing structure, fleet information, and equipment photos. Easily deployed on their website, travelers may simply enter their zip code based itinerary and receive an instant quote.

Busbaby.com CEO, Orlandus Thomas, explains it this way, ‘The Estimator will unilaterally benefit charter bus companies, travel industry professionals, and travelers alike. Until now, generating and receiving a quote for charter bus service would typically take 24 hours and often days. By streamlining this process, the Estimator will allow bus companies to not only provide instant, personalized quotes but, to qualify their customers and positively impact the time management of their staff.’

Mr. Thomas expounding further, sited the additional benefits to travel agencies as the ability to quickly and independently obtain ground transportation pricing when generating client travel proposals. Adding that the advantages to individual charter bus travelers are many, Busbaby.com’s Chief Executive noted the reduction in the time to secure a quote, allowing the customer to view bus photos, and the ability to budget for their travels, among others.

Currently in use on the Busbaby.com website, the Estimator is slated for immediate sale and deployment to charter bus companies nationwide.

For more information please visit: www.Busbaby.com

About Busbaby.com:
Busbaby.com is a premiere charter bus travel agency. By utilizing our network of local bus companies nationwide, with knowledge of bus availability, the best routes, premium buses, the industry at large, and each market in cities across the country, BusBaby.com is your one-stop resource for all your transportation needs.

Busbaby.com works with only the most reputable and professional Motor coach companies in the United States. We place a premium on safety, which is why BusBaby.com’s network of premiere partner bus companies adheres to the highest standards set by the US Department of Transportation, are fully insured and bonded, meet or exceed industry certification benchmarks, and thoroughly screen their bus drivers.

Contact:
P. A. Clark, director of public relations
Busbaby.com
800-571-7636

http://www.busbaby.com

FAQ

BusBaby provides you with the easiest, most reliable and cost-effective way to charter a bus – anywhere, anytime, for any occassion.

How do I reserve a charter bus trip?

After entering your itinerary in the quote form one of our staff members will contact you via email or phone to further assit you. Please comple the online quote form in detail in order to recive a quick response. In order to reserve the charter bus a non-refundable  deposit (typically 15%) is required to hold a reservation.

 Do I get better rates if I rent more than one bus?

No,  charter bus companies operate in a very competitive market and typically offer their lowest price possible to all customers for all types of trips

Do all Charter buses have air conditioning

Generally all charter buses have air conditioning. Check the amenities section of your quote to make sure

Do your charter buses have entertainment onboard such as TV, VCR, DVD, or CD?

Most charter buses have TV monitors (typically 6 or so)that play either VCR or DVD. Some have a CD or Tape player as well. The sound plays from speakers so everyone listens to what is on. Check the amenities

What size charter buses do you have?

Each charter bus company has their own unique type fleet. Typically motorcoaches range in capacity from 47-passenger to 57-passenger; although there are some rare 36-passenger motor coaches out there. For smaller groups try a mini-bus. These look like the airport shuttles you take to hotels except all the seats face forward. Sometimes they have TVs and separate luggage storage but they never have bathrooms. Mini-buses cannot cross state lines.

Who handles the drivers lodging?

 It is up to the customer to arrange and pay for the bus driver’s lodging. The driver must have a room with a bathroom, bed, and TV. It does not have to be the same hotel that your group is staying at but it does need to be close by so there aren’t extra charges associated with getting from the bus driver’s hotel to your hotel. Also, be sure the hotel has a place to park the charter bus typically they cannot be parked on the streets.

Can we bring alcohol on the bus?

Most charter bus companies permit the consumption of alcohol onboard. A damage deposit is required which will be refunded by the charter bus company if the bus is returned in reasonable condition. No kegs or glass containers. Coolers are allowed make sure they don’t leak.

Is smoking prohibited on charter buses?

 No tobaco products of any kind are permitted on charter buses

Can we bring coolers for food and drink on the bus?

Yes, coolers are permitted on motorcoaches. Glass containers are not. Coolers can be placed on the seats or in the undercarriage below the bus but not in the aisle. Please make sure the cooler doesn’t leak.

What if my itineary is wrong and we bring the charter bus back to late? 

 The best idea is to try to plan plenty of time so that your group is finished with the charter bus in the allotted time. Depending on your trip the motor coach company may charge extra for trips that run long. This amount will be negotiated and paid for directly between you and the motor coach company. There is no refund if your charter bus comes back early since it is impossible for the bus company to rebook the equipment with another customer on such a short notice

What if something goes wrong with my charter bus trip?

The charter bus companies will do everything they can to make sure that each trip goes smoothly. If there is a problem with a trip a refund should be negotiated between the customer and the charter bus company. Ten percent of the trip is not refundable. All refunds will come by check directly from the charter bus company. All request for refunds should be sent directly to the charter bus company

 How are charter bus trips priced?

The pricing method depends on the type of trip. Each charter bus company has different methods and different rates. If your trip is in town generally it will be priced by the hour with a 5 hour minimum. If your trip is out of town then its priced on a day rate or mileage whichever is greater.

What is included in the price and what other cost shoould I consider?

It is the responsibility of the customer to pay for all parking fees and tolls. In addition, the customer must arrange for drivers lodging. Theirs a  3% Credit Card processing fee. 

Should drivers recieve gratuity?

Yes, bus drivers consider part of their compensation to come from a gratuity. Generally 10% is an average tip for a short bus trip while a $1 per passenger per day is a metric used for longer, multi-day bus trips. You may include the gratuity in the cost of thr reservation or you can tip cash directly to the driver.

Please email us with any other questions at  service@busbaby.com

 

Charter Bus Safety Tips

Check your Charter bus safety record  the industry is unregulated, anyone can operate  as a charter bus company without adherering to the USDOT guidelines.

Here are a few tips to apply when reserving a Charter bus

Check out the charter bus company safety record at the USDOT. Select name and enter the charter bus company name click on bus company on  the left side here you can view the Inspection/Crashes Safety rating and Insurance. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and In order to view insurance docs click on the link FMCSA Licensing & Insurance site click on report link on the right side.

Be aware of Low rates many fly by night companies offer LOW RATES Horrible buses and do not comply with the USDOT ! sometimes its better to shop on Value rather than Price alone

Unless you have chartered a bus with the Company you intend on using, I would recomend inspecting the bus and make sure thats the one you will use for your trip. Its always best to be safe than Sorry.

 Why not leave the driving to BusBaby?Our Network of Carriers Busbaby works with only the most reputable and professional Charter bus companies in the United States. We place a premium on safety, which is why BusBaby’s network of premiere partner bus companies adheres to the highest standards set by the US Department of Transportation, are fully insured and bonded, meet or exceed industry certification benchmarks, and thoroughly screen their bus drivers.