New York City is infamous for its crowded, unreliable public transportation and bus charter new york. Yet with a city so dependent on public transport, where do you turn when you need to move large groups quickly and efficiently around the Big Apple? Look no further than chartering your own bus.
Whether you’re responsible for transporting attendees to a business conference or getting guests to your special event on time, renting a charter bus allows you to forget the headaches of subway delays or getting groups around via cabs. But to ensure your private bus rental goes off without a hitch, heed this NYC insider advice:
Plan Ahead and Book Early Competition for reputable bus and driver services is stiff in New York, especially during peak event seasons like spring graduations, summer weekends and the December holidays. Give yourself at least a few months’ lead time – or more if possible – to get quotes and book your bus. Trying to secure a rental too close to your date can leave you stranded.
Compare Companies
You want experienced drivers with reliable, modern buses appropriate for a city setting. Fleets that meet your passenger headcount and have restrooms onboard are ideal for New York City routes, which can encounter heavy traffic. Gather quotes from vendors of varying fleet sizes so you can find the right bus at the best price.
Mind the Fine Print
Understand that most bus rental rates don’t include fees like parking, tolls, driver tips or overtime wages. If your event or pick-up/drop-off location requires special access permits, keeps the bus beyond the booked hours, or necessitates a police escort, expect additions costs. Get these details ironed out in advance so there’s no sticker shock come billing time.
Map Out Pick-Up/Drop-Off Locations
Whether transporting attendees across state lines or simply shuffling Brooklyn wedding guests between the ceremony and reception, determine the optimal pick-up and drop-off points to keep your group moving efficiently. Identify distances to reduce mileage fees and map accessible 15-minute staging areas where large vehicles can safely load passengers without incurring costly standing time fees as the meter runs.
Provide Buffer Time
Even with extensive logistical planning, busing events in America’s most populated city rarely goes exactly according to schedule. Pad travel times between destinations to absorb typical NYC traffic or construction delays without derailing your entire event agenda or timeline. Most bus rental contracts designate 30-60 minutes of wait time built into the pricing; anything beyond accrues overtime wages for drivers.
Obtain Necessary Permits or Escorts Far more goes into securing a temporary area for unloading event guests from a coach bus in midtown Manhattan than simply halting alongside a curb. Obtain required street closure permits through the mayor’s office, hire off-duty police for traffic control, or pay for parking Authorities to cone-off lanes to avoid steep violation fines. Vehicle escorts also help navigate high-profile or rush hour routes.
Tip for Service
Most rental quotes don’t include gratuities for exemplary service, so budget 15-20% above the base rate for tipping shuttle drivers who deliver your group promptly, safely and with a smile. Recognize that driving a cumbersome coach through Manhattan’s bustling streets while catering to customers is no easy day’s work.
As daunting as navigating New York City streets can be, chartering a private bus for your event can run smoothly with insider knowledge on timelines, costs and logistics. You handle gathering the masses – let the bus handle the transportation.