The travel industry continues to change and evolve and bus transportation, an integral part of many youth and amateur tournaments, is also changing. In this article, we will review a few of the trends at work.
Costs
While charter bus is still the least expensive and most efficient way to move athletes from place to place over land, bus companies often have to field consumer questions about why the price is higher than they thought it might be (or that they thought it should be).
In many cases, people are thinking about what it costs to ride around town on a municipal bus system. However, chartering a tour bus is an entirely different matter and as a result, it’s important for those who make purchasing decisions to understand and appreciate what goes into the price of securing a vehicle for their event:
Insurance costs continue to impact the price paid by teams and event owners who contract with bus services.
Skilled and licensed drivers are a highly valued commodity and they are becoming harder to come by. Many longtime drivers retired during the pandemic years and this loss continues to be felt. As a result, the drivers in the sector are able to command better wages and benefits.
The cost of parts and labor has gone up. Those in the sports tourism sector expect clean, safe, well maintained vehicles. To have that, you need regular maintenance by a company that understands buses. Anyone who has taken their car in for service recently knows that prices for parts and labor are not going down; neither are similar costs for keeping buses in good shape.
Road tolls are rolled into the cost of bus transportation; this is something many event owners may not consider.
Something in the favor of bus transportation is the fact that diesel fuel is still fairly affordable. At the same time, we are starting to be asked about electric vehicles. At the moment, there is simply not enough charging infrastructure in the country to justify the use of electric vehicles on long trips.(Municipal buses that serve only specific routes within a city are an exception to this, obviously.)
Trends
What trends have we noticed this year? In some cases, it’s the demand for ADA-accessible buses. Each year, we see more lift equipment being requested, and we expect that trend to continue, not just because there are more events for athletes with challenges but because everyone, including family members who may have those challenges, wants to ride together on the bus to games and tournaments.
Some things don’t change. Bus passengers want vehicles with adequate and clean restrooms, and with outlets so they can keep their devices charged. They want comfortable seats, space to store their bags and sports equipment (without being charged extra for that baggage) and the ability to walk up and down the aisles and talk to their friends.
Most of those amenities and advantages are not something you’re going to find on board a commercial aircraft, and you definitely won’t have such affordable transportation if you fly.
With that being said, here is what you need to know about booking bus travel this year.
Get the Right Kind of Bus
Larger buses, known as coaches, can accommodate up to 56 passengers. Many have power outlets so passengers can charge their devices, but not all of them do. If this is important to you, be sure to ask in advance.
A large coach can hold about 70 average-sized bags – or an equivalent combination of bags and sports equipment. Most athletes will travel with one to two bags, plus sports equipment. Be sure you talk to the bus company about exactly what your athletes are carrying, since bags containing ski equipment, football equipment (including helmets, shoulder and body pads), golf clubs or anything else will take up quite a bit of space. This absolutely will affect the type of vehicle you need.
Large vehicles are a bigger investment, but they are far more practical than smaller options in the marketplace. Sometimes, for example, we’ll see a coach, team manager, parent or someone else try to book a shuttle or minibus (similar to those used to get airline passengers from parking lots to their terminals).
Be aware that while such a vehicle may carry a lower price tag, it seats fewer people and may not have adequate luggage space. Remember too, those small vehicles do not have restrooms – and if you have a long trip ahead of you, that will be a source of complaints.
Think Ahead When Planning Bus Travel
A driver can put in 10 hours of straight drive time and then he or she must be able to go off-duty for the day. With the advent of the e-log (a means for the motor coach company to track how long a driver is on the road), extra accountability and safety measures are in place.
Know in advance the distance you plan to travel, and plan appropriately. If overnight stays need to be built in, make sure you havereservations. (Note: If an overnight stay is required, the client is responsible for paying for a room for the bus driver as well; this will be rolled into your total cost; however, you should ask in advance.)
Put in the Time to Look for a Good Company
Do not pick a coach company at random from the Internet. Any web search will bring up a vast number of companies, most of whom have toll-free numbers and online ways to get a quote immediately. Remember that any price you’re quoted at first may vary a bit from what you actually pay due to factors we mentioned in the earlier part of this article.
Your colleagues in the industry are often the best source you can find when it comes to getting ideas about which company to hire. The local sports commission where you’re based (if you’re leaving from your hometown) or the sports commission in the city you’ll be traveling to (if you’re going to fly there and will need bus transportation once you’ve landed) can also be an excellent resource. It is essential to read online reviews and to check with the Better Business Bureau as well.
Here are some additional questions to ask before you sign on the dotted line (or, more accurately, click “Accept”):
• If something goes wrong, does the company have someone available 24/7 to answer questions and solve problems? If the company only has phone coverage between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. on weekdays, for example, it won’t help you much if there are problems after hours.
• What year is the bus we’re going to be using? Because motor coaches constitute such an important investment for companies, many see years of service. In fact, in some cases, a 10-year-old bus might be considered on the newer side. You may want to specify that you want something built within the last five years if you want something very new (by bus industry standards). Be aware, though, that the newer equipment costs more, especially in peak travel season.
• Is a tip for the driver included in the price being quoted? Our company makes it a policy to include a small gratuity in the estimate; however, it is essential to ask in advance.
• What about fuel costs and tolls? That’s generally included in the price, at least where we’re concerned, but again, it’s essential to ask.
• Do we pay for the driver’s meals and hotel room? This will vary according to the bus company you are using and the type of trip you are taking; be sure to ask in advance so that neither you nor the driver is caught unaware. However, it is generally considered proper etiquette to feed the driver.
• How far in advance should we reserve? We can’t say this enough: book as soon as possible. There is no such thing as too much advance notice because bus companies receive multiple requests, particularly in high season. Need an ADA-accessible bus? That should be noted early as well.
To review: You have the latest news, you have the facts and you have the best advice. Everyone on the bus! SDM
About the Author
