Tips for motorcoach travel

American Bus Association offers tips for organizing group motorcoach charter or tours.  ABA members carry more than 774 million travelers a year.

Look for companies having affiliation with a professional association, as it is an important sign that they have a network of contacts that can be of help to your group in the event of breakdowns or other unexpected events during your trip.

Motorcoach companies must have federal operating authority if they will be crossing state or provincial lines, and should be able to offer you proof of that authority, which is issued by the U.S. Department of Transportation or Transport Canada. Additionally, many states and provinces require that a carrier obtain operating authority for intrastate operations. This ensures they meet insurance requirements.

For any company you call, ask about their safety record and equipment and maintenance practices. The company should be comfortable with your questions and prepared to respond. As an outside source, you might also ask your provincial or state police about any experiences they may have had with motorcoach companies you are considering. You can view carriers’ safety ratings online at SafeStat Online www.safersys.org.

Look for companies that conduct themselves in a professional manner over the phone and that promptly follow up on your inquiry. For scheduled intercity service from your town to points everywhere, consult your local Yellow Pages and crosscheck your available choices with the ABA companies listed on their site http://www.buses.org.

A large network of motorcoach companies engages in “interlining,” which means they can arrange connections for you on one ticket, even when you travel beyond one company’s service area.

When seeking motorcoach charters, ask for the charter/tour department when you call. Be prepared to provide the company with details on the destination(s), your required itinerary, and the approximate number of people in your group. Next, let them help you find additional entertainment along the way: tell them the types of activities your group is interested in and what your time frame is for the overall trip.

Ask the operator for recommendations on lodging, restaurants, destinations, and tourist attractions along the way. Remember that motorcoach and tour company professionals deal with these companies daily. As “preferred customers,” they can often negotiate favorable group rates for you and even provide some extras.

Always inquire about trip costs, the model of the coach the company will provide, and restroom availability. Short trips may not require the “extras,” while long or quick-turn-around trips may require an extra driver to adhere to federal safety requirements and avoid potentially unsafe driving conditions. Ask how videos, music, and other coach amenities you may desire will affect your costs, so that you know exactly what to expect when your trip begins.

For prepackaged tours, decide in advance how much you want to spend, and shop around-but remember to compare not only on price. Costs usually include transportation, some meals, lodging, tips, baggage handling, and attractions admission. A tour escort may also accompany the group.

Always understand the company’s policies on payment and cancellation before you charter a coach or book an escorted tour. Many operators offer various types of modestly priced trip insurance that can protect your deposit in the event that you or your group must cancel. Ask about this type of protection at the time of booking.