The Top 6 Tips for Transporting Your Group Anywhere!

1. Motor Coaches, the best choice for large groups traveling more than 150 miles away. Ranging in size from 36-57 passengers, these coaches have airtight suspension and are much more comfortable for long rides. They come equipped with restrooms, high-back forward facing seats, four-six VCP/DVD stations, PA systems, and three luggage bays underneath. Some carriers have coaches with leather seating, footrests, folding tables, flat screen TV’s, and wireless internet. Expect to invest at a premium to hire a coach with these special amenities.

2. Mini Coaches, the best choice for groups traveling less than 150 miles away. Ranging in size from 18-35 passengers, these coaches have limited luggage space and no restroom on board. They typically come equipped with high-back forward facing seats, VCP/DVD stations, and a separate rear luggage door. They would be uncomfortable on long trips as they do not sit on the right type of chassis. You will not find much of a difference in the total investment between mini coaches and motor coaches because they cost about the same to insure. Choose wisely.

3. School Buses, these vehicles typically come in a 48-passenger capacity with a choice of AC or non-AC. They come equipped with vinyl bench seats, no restrooms, and no luggage capacity. Similar to the yellow buses you may have ridden as a kid in school, they are ideal for local trips such as lock-ins, paintball trips, or any day trips that do not involve luggage or cargo.

4. 15-Passenger Vans, these are the largest vehicles in the state of Texas that you can rent without a driver. They do not require a CDL and come equipped with power windows, power locks, tilt steering, cruise control, CD players, plush cloth seats, tinted windows, and rear heating/AC. Each van gets 14-17 miles per gallon and holds approximately 36 gallons of fuel. The one back bench seats four passengers and the front three benches seat three passengers each. Seats can be removed with ease for luggage room as there is minimal space behind the back seat.

5. Limos, these vehicles come in seating capacity from 6-22 passengers. The standard stretch limo will seat from 6-8 passengers comfortably. If you have more than eight, you will need a specialty or exotic limo. Limo buses typically seat between 18-26 passengers and come executive loaded just like any other limo. Most limos have mood lighting; wet bars, TV’s, wraparound seating, and leather interiors. Sunroofs have disappeared from limo fleets for liability reasons!

6. Motor coaches and mini coaches will be based on days, times, miles, and hours. Motor coaches have a five hour minimum, and mini coaches have a four hour minimum. School buses will be based on a portal to portal rental with a combination of miles and hours. Passenger van rentals are based are on a 24 hour clock. Limos have a three hour minimum on Sunday-Thursday and a four hour minimum on Friday and Saturday. You must have an initial mock itinerary for quotes!

This article came from my latest book, The Ultimate Common Sense Ground Transportation Guide For Traveling Groups! How To Learn Not To Crash and Burn 2! Get your free copy today by calling me at 817-437-8702 or reach me at [email protected]

I serve my clients as a Regional Sales and Leasing Manager for Master's Transportation in Irving, TX. We lease, sell, and finance all sizes of buses and coaches! 31 years in the industry and working on book number four! We also rent buses that you can drive yourself!