These frequently asked questions are for potentially discerning charter bus company members, not for the consumer or end user of charter buses. For information pertaining to charter bus usage please click here.
 

What is Bus Charter Dispatch?

Bus Charter Dispatch is one website within the Charter Dispatch International Network (CDIN). As such, Bus Charter Dispatch is part of a growing network that links small and large groups of travelers with an array of travel products and services around the world. At Bus Charter Dispatch we specifically network bus charter companies, bus rental companies, luxury and deluxe-seated coach and bus companies, mini bus companies, van and airport operators, transit bus carriers, bus line operators, and motor coach (motorcoach) companies. However, as a bus company you are also a member of the entire Charter Dispatch International Network (CDIN) and therefore have access to our vast array of services regardless of the type of Bus Company you operate. For a detailed explanation of Charter Dispatch products and services please click the following link to review our total package of services. http://www.charterdispatch.com
 

What are the benefits of being a Charter Dispatch member?

Assuming you are a charter bus, bus rental, party bus, limousine, line carrier, transit bus operator, van or other type of ground transportation company your benefits are voluminous and we suggest you login to the Charter Dispatch link noted above for a full description. Simply put however, we work on your behalf to promote, advertise and network your tour bus company with the charter bus and motor coach traveling public. Charter Dispatch also advertises, promotes and networks your bus charter company to other commercial and private entities that can generate business, save money, create new partnerships and increase revenue, all within the world of group tour, travel and transportation.
 

What are the costs to be a Charter Dispatch member?

Our operational philosophy is simple. Supply the customer with the safest, most cost efficient charter bus rental service available. As a result, we never charge the customer for our tour and bus charter company services. We also don't want our membership fee to be the cause of price increases. To this end, a monthly bus charter company membership costs at or below the price of a single 12-volt automobile battery.
 

Who can be a member of Charter Dispatch?

Our goal is to incorporate companies and services that will benefit from finding business and network opportunities, and are willing to establish competitive pricing for small to large group tour, travel and transportation business within the following categories:

Transportation Members: Charter bus companies, party bus companies, limousine or limo companies, van and airport operators, mini bus companies, tour bus companies, trolley bus companies, double-deck bus companies, entertainer bus companies, day coach companies, motor coach (motorcoach) companies, taxi and shuttle companies, bus line carriers, transit bus operators and any ground transportation company that might benefit from small to large group transportation.

Tour & Travel Members: Large and small tour operators, travel agents and agencies, concierge and hotel service personnel, local, day, long distance and international tour guides and agencies, tour and travel chaperones, tour and group leaders, and any tour and travel companies or services that can benefit from small to large group servicing.

Hospitality Members: Hotel, motel, resort, bed and breakfast, camping, food service, restaurant, tourist and tour attractions, entertainment facility and motorcoach service, shopping outlets, and any hospitality company, entity or person that can benefit from small to large group services.
 

What if I don't fit into a specific category and still want to join?

At Charter Dispatch we are not only looking for bus charter companies and services for consumer and business-to-business transportation, but for support companies and services as well. If you believe you have a bus charter service that can benefit our membership then we are looking for you, both as an associate member and or as an advertiser. Here are just a few examples of associate member status for Bus Charter Dispatch; bus maintenance facilities and bus mechanics, bus-towing services, support transportation, bus tire stores, bus company communication and GPS services and 24-hour diesel mechanics. Associate member costs range from $19.95 monthly and up. For ad space starting at $19.95 per month please go to the advertising link at top of this page.

Transportation Associate/Advertising Members: Charter bus and diesel engine mechanics, party and charter bus air-conditioning specialists, bus towing services and companies, local transportation companies for stranded passengers, diesel and bio-diesel fueling stations and facilities, alternative fueling stations, truck stops, tire stores, bus parking facilities, passenger transportation insurance, audio and video bus maintenance and mechanics, tour and charter bus dumping facilities, bus cleaning services, emergency roadside services, 24-hour roadside mechanics and services, emergency passenger accommodations, group oriented restaurants and food services and the list goes on.

Tour & Travel Associate/Advertising Members: Large and small group tour guides, local tour attractions, business and convention facilities, chambers of commerce, State tourism associations, hotel and motel advertisers, restaurant and food service advertisers, emergency ticketing agents, emergency medical facilities, destination management companies (DMC), destination management organizations (DMO) to name but a few.

Hospitality Associate/Advertising Members: Tourist attractions, chambers of commerce, convention and visitor bureau's, advertisers for food and lodging services, local venues, unique stores and services, shopping facilities, outlet shopping malls, food stores, truck stops, medical services and many more.
 

How does Charter Dispatch deal with Bus Brokers?

This is a question on the mind of many bus and tour charter operators these days. Charter Dispatch is open to any company or service that has a legitimate purpose or benefit within the charter bus industry of small to large group tour, travel and transportation. However, bus brokers are treated no differently than all other bus rental and charter bus companies when registering as a member. First, they must register as a broker and declare in writing as such when conferring with bus charter dispatch or charter dispatch customers. A bus broker must also clearly display on their own website that they are a broker of bus or transportation services. Failure to abide by these regulations is grounds for expulsion from Charter Dispatch and all of its subsidiary websites.
 

Why are membership fees so low? (What's the catch?)

Charter Dispatch and all of its websites, inclusive of Bus Charter Dispatch, were developed with two fundamental and deep-rooted premises. First, as stated above... Supply the traveling public with the safest, most cost efficient [charter bus] service available. Second... To benefit and protect the Bus Charter Dispatch membership from unscrupulous and unfair minded company practices that reward cutting services and safety for sheer profit. Such companies are harmful to the bus industry worldwide and are not courted for membership in the Charter Dispatch International Network of websites (CDIN).

To this end, the Charter Dispatch International Network (CDIN) monetary policy is quite simple. Keep the membership cost low and the benefits high and CDIN, along with its membership, will generate worldwide customers and members.
 

Isn't Bus Charter Dispatch actually brokering deals?

Charter Dispatch and all its networked sites absolutely do not broker business. In fact, the sites themselves are developed to operate without human interaction, another cost saving factor for members. We are not owned or operated by any association or entity that may have ulterior motives other than to benefit our members and customers. Customers cannot call any of our sites to request services since we only take calls from our membership and pass on email inquiries to local bus carriers. The only time a Charter Dispatch staff member will ever be involved is when there is a dispute between members and customers.
 

How do you solve and avoid disputes?

We believe the customer is always right. That said there are those few occasions when disputes do arise. We deal with disputes very simply, with ratings. As a charter bus member you will be rated fairly by all who use your charter bus services. You in turn can also rate other members. Charter Dispatch has very strict guidelines and procedures with regards to false, malicious or retaliatory ratings. Please read about these guidelines in Terms & Conditions on the Charter Dispatch website.
 

Is Bus Charter Dispatch a simple Bus Rates directory?

No. In fact, all Charter Dispatch sites as extremely complicated inter-active databases. In addition to a sophisticated search and find locator that never favors one bus company over another, our directory also allows for our members to enter all aspects about their charter bus company for the public to view. We even allow for up to 10 pictures of buses and facilities, as well as a real time connection to the FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) verification site so that you and your customers can quickly and easily find out Federal information about any bus company, inclusive of insurance, carrier type, insurance limits, accidents, out of service citations and more. You can check our rating system of each [bus company] member, verify state and local transportation authorities (automation coming soon), review referrals, capture and save specific bus company information for easy access and use your bus company Charter Dispatch Home Page as your computer desktop. And, our database is inclusive of all members whether charter bus, rental bus, party bus, mini party bus, mini bus, tour bus, limo bus, entertainer coach, sleeper (band bus) coach, transit bus operator, bus line carrier, motor coach (motorcoach), limousine, van, ground transportation, stretch limo service, airport service, harbor service and more.
 

How do I know if Bus Charter Dispatch is generating Business for me?

1. With the Bus Charter Dispatch system you find the business you want by entering our database of available transportation listings. This database lists all the charter bus, rental bus, party bus, mini bus, limo and limousine, convention, shuttle, van, sedan and town car, bus transit and line carrier transportation business uploaded through our various websites. All you have to do is click on a specific item and reply to the request. You can also bring that request into your "To Do' list, highlight it, archive it, or delete it when you're through. In addition, you can utilize your online personal telephone directory of bus rental and charter companies, restaurants, hotels, bus towing services, over-the-road maintenance facilities and literally hundreds of other directory entries you have added over time. Please see Example Ref. A below.

2. You will also receive telephone calls, faxes and emails directly from potential customers who specifically found your bus company in their search of our vast and dynamic database. Please see Example Ref. B below.

3. Charter Dispatch allows access to your personal accounting of every click to your searched database listing and or a customer's click from our site to yours.

4. With Bus Charter Dispatch you can never miss an uploaded trip in your area. Should a trip be uploaded within 25-100 miles of your charter bus terminal (one location per membership) you will immediately receive an email that can be accessed on your home, office, telephone or remote computer. Charter Dispatch can even text the information to your cell phone. Please refer to Real Time Services in About Us on charterdispatch.com. Please note that email and texting services are charged at a modest additional cost.

5. Through the use of our unique email and texting software new services such as bus down, maintenance, tow and tire services will soon be available. For members having been in these predicaments wouldn't it be pleasant to have competitive services for these emergencies instead of being at the mercy of one or very few sources?

 Example Ref. A (Search Listings)

Current Charter Dispatch Listings: (3143)

[Prev] Results 1-10 of 3143 Listings [Next]

Depart From	Destination	Depart Time	Arrival Time	Pax	Price	Vehicle Type	Company	Details
New York NY map	Baltimore MD map	May 22, 2009 7:00 AM	May 23, 2009 12:00 PM	50	Day: $0 Ttl: $0 Neg:	Charter Bus 47-51 Seats	PRIVATE PARTY Rating: (n/a)
Houston TX map	New Orleans LA map	Jun 23, 2009 8:00 AM	Jun 25, 2009 2:00 PM	49	Day: $0 Ttl: $0 Neg:	Charter Bus 24-32 Seats	PRIVATE PARTY Rating: (n/a)
Phoenix AZ map	Los Angeles CA map	Jun 25, 2009 9:00 AM	Jun 27, 2009 5:00 PM	28	Day: $0 Ttl: $0 Neg:	Tour Coach 24-32 Seats	PRIVATE PARTY Rating: (n/a)
Wahsington DC map	New York NY map	Jun 29, 2009 7:30AM	Jul 5, 2009 1:30 PM	45	Day: $0 Ttl: $0 Neg:	Charter Bus 40-50 Seats	PRIVATE PARTY Rating: (n/a)
Los Angeles CA map	San Diego CA map	Jul 1, 2009 10:00 AM	Jul 2, 2009 5:00 PM	48	Day: $0 Ttl: $0 Neg:	Charter Bus 47-51 Seats	PRIVATE PARTY Rating: (n/a)
San Francisco CA map	Seattle WA map	Jul 2, 2009 10:45 PM	Jul 6, 2009 1:00 AM	46	Day: $0 Ttl: $0 Neg:	Charter Bus 48-51 Seats	PRIVATE PARTY Rating: (n/a)
New York NY map	Philadelphia PA map	Jul 4, 2009 8:00 AM	Jul 4, 2009 11:00 PM	22	Day: $0 Ttl: $0 Neg:	Mini Bus 16-24 Seats	PRIVATE PARTY Rating: (n/a)
Chicago IL map	Detroit MI map	Jun 26, 2009	Jun 28, 2009	12	Day: $0 Ttl: $0 Neg:	Mini Party Bus 8-16 Seats	PRIVATE PARTY Rating: (n/a)
Miami FL map	Orlando FL map	Jun 26, 2009 10:30 PM	Jun 27, 2009 2:15 AM	10	Day: $0 Ttl: $0 Neg:	Mini Party Bus 8-16 Seats	PRIVATE PARTY Rating: (n/a)
Los Angeles CA map	San Francisco CA map	Jun 26, 2009 11:00 PM	Jun 27, 2009 3:00 AM	24	Day: $0 Ttl: $0 Neg:	Midsize Party Bus 16-24 Seats	PRIVATE PARTY Rating: (n/a)

Results 1-10 of 3143 Listings

What payment methods do you accept?

Charter Dispatch service may be paid month to month, quarterly or annually. Your service may be cancelled anytime and for any reason. Charter Dispatch requires a 15-day advance notice of cancellation on all month-to-month and quarterly memberships. Monthly and Quarterly payments may only be paid through the use of Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover or PayPal account. Annual payments may be made by invoice and check method. Annual memberships may be cancelled by returning your invoice marked "Cancel".
 

Can I post my Bus Company prices?

Yes, but not in the manner you might think. Unlike another bus rates site that have prices formatted, we discourage the posting of structured bus rates for a few reasons. One, it is too easy to bait and switch prices. Two, it gives the customer a false sense of security that can backfire and cause disputes. Three, getting paid in arrears by customers that "go over" allotted time and distance is a dreadful and tedious job. And finally, we understand how complicated setting competitive prices are. It involves the computation of existing bus fuel costs, wear and tear, mileage, bus charter insurance, maintenance, depreciation, labor, workers compensation and many other factors (not to mention whether you are competing against a bus 10 years older than yours) that can rapidly fluctuate. At Bus Charter Dispatch we therefore recommend establishing an "average" 5 hour and 10 hour basic rate with a set maximum mileage clearly documented. You are however, free to state your prices in the Company Description are of your company home page.
 

Can I list my Company free in Bus Charter Dispatch?

Yes, submit your basic information to: http://charterdispatchfreelisting.com. Entering duplicate or false information is grounds for immediate elimination from one or all of Charter Dispatch websites. Free listings are at the discretion of CDIN and will be limited to bus company name, bus terminal address and phone number with no email or website links, pictures, company description or other identification markings.