What’s the benefit of Metropolitan Shuttle over an online bus directory?
When you search for a bus charter or rental bus company online, you likely will get links to online bus directories. These directories will include any bus-owning transportation company willing to pay them for a listing. However, they don’t take into account the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) ratings. In these directories, you will often find companies with a conditional or unsatisfactory rating; and not just those with satisfactory ratings.
If you’re not a transportation industry insider, you probably don’t realize that you can do further research into the DOT reports and learn a vehicle’s rating. These directories are paid for by advertisers and the data contained within is not necessarily harvested with the safety and well-being of the consumer in mind.
How do I know my bus will be compliant with FMCSA and have the proper insurance?
Metropolitan Shuttle consults constantly with the FMCSA SAFER database to confirm the DOT records of bus operators scheduled for upcoming trips. We also confirm insurance certificates. Your Metropolitan Shuttle account representative can provide you with copies of the relevant reports and certificates for the buses and/or operators being used on your trip.
How much will it cost to charter a bus?
Typically, buses are rented for a minimum of four or five hours of use (with occasional exceptions). A 55-passenger standard executive charter bus is usually between $450 and $650, but could be up to $700 depending on location and circumstances. There will be charges of $110 to $130 per additional hour, depending on location. This is a question we get a lot, so we wrote an article about it. Please refer to the article “How Much Does it Cost to Charter a Bus?” on our blog to learn more. Your Metropolitan Shuttle® account executive will be happy to assist you with a quote for your specific trip.
Why do some bus quotes seem so much more expensive than others?
Indeed, bus charter prices seem to be all over the place. Remember that old adage that you get what you pay for? Well, it sure does hold true in this industry. Should you receive a better quote than the quote provided by Metropolitan Shuttle®, please let us know and we’ll do everything possible to negotiate a better rate for you. Remember, we are here to work for you!
Can I purchase just one or two seats for a trip?
No. Our service is strictly a charter service where you rent the bus for your group’s exclusive use.
What if my bus is late, or we have a breakdown during our trip?
Metropolitan Shuttle has an after-hours, 24/7 emergency number just for such occasions. Please call 1-800-274-3846 for immediate assistance.
If I don’t need the bus for the entire day, will I still need to pay for it for the entire day?
Most charter services have four- or five-hour minimums on vehicle rentals. Therefore, if your event is from 9am to 5pm and you’re booking a vehicle for transportation both to and from, it could cost the same amount to keep the vehicle for the day as it would to have it leave and come back for the return trip. However, there are occasions when we can offer special one-way transfer rates to accommodate those types of circumstances.
Do the buses have air conditioning?
Yes, most buses have air conditioning. School buses usually do not.
Who arranges and pays for the driver’s hotel room?
Typically, the client will be responsible for booking the driver’s room on overnight trips. Often, if you ask, hotels will add a complimentary room for the driver when you book rooms for a large group.
How far in advance should I reserve my bus?
The sooner, the better. Buses are reserved on a first come, first served basis and can sell out fast during busy times.
Can I charter a minibus for an overnight trip?
Minibuses are not designed for long-distance travel. They are much lower to the ground and therefore far less comfortable for passengers travelling on the highway. Few, if any, operators will allow their minibuses to travel much more than 100 miles out of a given city.
Is smoking allowed on the bus?
Absolutely not.
Is alcohol allowed on board?
Policies vary from operator to operator. Alcohol often is allowed; however, a refundable security deposit may be required in order to bring alcohol on board. Please consult with your account executive should you wish to bring alcohol on your trip.
How many video monitors do the buses have?
Deluxe charter buses will typically have four to six video monitors. Minibuses will have 1-3.
Will the bus I get look like the one I picked out on your website?
Our website shows examples of what the buses that we typically offer for charter look like. Your Metropolitan Shuttle account executive can provide the specifics of the bus you’ll be getting for your particular event.
Do you have access to buses with handicap accessibility?
Yes, we can provide ADA Accessible buses. Please consult with your account executive to discuss your specific needs.
Can our group be listed as an Additional Insured on the Operator’s insurance policy?
Absolutely. Please consult with your account executive to discuss the details.