Passenger buses are more economical than hiring one’s own car. Private bus companies must take note of the growing numbers of tourists requiring inter-city travel modes.
Taking the road less travelled makes for a fabulous journey, but when it’s a group of travellers going to the outback, a small bus may be more up your alley than a hired car. Not only are travellers spared the chore of mapping their route and driving to it themselves, a 14-seater passenger bus can provide a comfortable ride to the destination. Most hired passenger buses feature reclining seats and adequate storage space. Long distance buses may also feature restrooms. All in all, hiring a passenger bus if you want to see the sights in Florida, or going to the interior areas that are not covered on the touristy trails, works out better on many fronts.
Why are tourists taking the bus and not hiring their own cars?
Tourists don’t like to drive.
It sounds surprising, but it is true, that lots of people today have either never applied for a driver’s license or have not renewed the one they had. Meanwhile, tourists from other cities and countries are likely to feel some trepidation about driving in an unfamiliar city or town. And so, they prefer to take passenger buses for inter-city travel.
Passenger buses are economically more sustainable..
A passenger bus can easily transport tourists and non-tourists within one geographical region . For example, those on a tour of the East Coast would be better off hiring a 14-seater passenger bus for their group rather than separate cars. Not only is car hiring expensive in the US, the fuel costs and parking issues also add up. Taking taxis can also become expensive, especially if the group intends to travel to far flung rural areas away from the bigger city roads. Passenger buses are better suited for those travelling on a budget, or tourists who are not hitting the big cities but travelling to the interior areas.
A hired passenger bus is more flexible than a public bus.
With their set routes and timings, public buses follow a rigid timetable that tourists wishing to explore a region in entirety may not be comfortable with. A group of tourists will always be happier hiring a private 14 or 15-seater bus that follows their timetable, instead of having to change buses and follow a pre-decided route.
A passenger bus is eco-friendlier than private cars.
If a group of tourists were to hire separate taxis or rental cars for their travel, they would probably be more comfortable but the impacts on the environment would be tremendous. Instead of hiring separate vehicles to reach the same destination, a 15-seater passenger bus could easily perform the same function with much less consumption of fuel.
How bus companies can cater to tourist demand?
At the other end of the spectrum, public and private bus companies are tasked with providing a safe transportation mode to all passengers. While both tourists and locals hire passenger buses with the expectation that they will have a safe ride, bus companies must improve efficiency and follow passenger safety protocols every step of the way.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has been working tirelessly to improve safety standards and the overall travel experience on American passenger buses. It conducted the National Passenger Safety Initiative in 2017 to improve the passenger experience, remove unsafe and old buses from the roads, and to increase public awareness about commercial motor vehicle safety.
- If you are a private bus company owner, you should consider bringing all your buses up to the current industry standards for performance, safety and compliance protocols.
- Refurbishing your used 14-seater passenger buses or smaller buses in your fleet is the first step. Consider putting in better, sturdier seats with comfortable back and seat padding. However, refurbishing works only if the bus also passes muster on parameters like engine, transmission and electrical performance. Refurbishing will also take the bus out of service for about a month, so you will have to factor in those costs as well.
- Hire experienced drivers aware of inter-State compliance and emergency safety practices. Do follow Hours of Service rules for drivers working in shifts, especially on long tours, and ensure that fatigued drivers are taken off the shift for rest.
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