Tips for Chartering a Bus for Your Upcoming High School Field Trip
Although the yellow school bus isn't the most comfortable ride, it does the job for the daily commute to school for millions of school-aged kids across the country. However, when it comes to longer field trips and high schoolers, the traditional yellow school bus just simply isn't comfortable.
If your high school is planning a field trip quite a distance from school, then chartering a bus is a great option to ensure everyone stays comfortable on the trip! If your school has never chartered a bus before, then these tips will ensure a positive experience for everyone involved in the trip.
Tip: Write Down All of the Specifics Before Calling the Charter Bus Company
Before you pick up the phone and call around to local charter bus companies to check availability and get price quotes, it's a good idea to write down all of the field trip's specifics, including the following:
- the date of the field trip
- the start and end times of the trip
- the pick-up and drop-off locations
- the number of students and chaperones needing transport
Simple facts such as the field trip's date allow the charter bus companies to quickly check their schedules and let you know if they have a bus available. Though you may be able to get a loose quote without having set a specific date for the field trip, it may make your chartering process more lengthy and frustrating in the end if you later discover there aren't any buses available for the date you chose.
Tip: Decide Which Amenities Are Must-Haves
Whether your school trip requires multiple full-size coaches to move hundreds of people or a smaller minibus for only a handful, there are many onboard amenities your bus can offer. While they will vary from charter company to charter company depending on the buses they have available, the most popular amenities include the following:
- air conditioning
- restrooms
- reclining seats
- Wi-Fi
- televisions
- DVD players
Think about which amenities matter for your trip before calling. Also, make sure you compare amenities when comparing quotes from multiple companies against each other to ensure you get the best deal.
Tip: Go Inspect the Bus Your High School Is Chartering Before the Field Trip
Finally, it's always a good idea to visit the charter bus company in person before your field trip date to inspect the bus you are chartering. Make sure the bus meets your standards, and use this opportunity to ask any final questions you have before the big day.
For more information, contact a charter bus rental service.
