Welcome to Inaugural Bus Charter Dispatch Newsletter
This newsletter is intended to benefit each visitor to the Bus Charter Dispatch web site by imparting useful, instructive and cost-saving information. Please use our practical hints and tips on any site you find your next charter bus or tour
coach rental on. While BCD believes our members are the finest assemblage of tour bus carriers anywhere within the world, our primary goal is to educate the bus-going public to become more familiar and safety knowledgeable about their very next charter bus or
SEPTEMBER 2009
FEATURES ARTICLES
Bus company of the month, Silverado Stages, gives you their top ten reasons to use charter buses, tour buses and luxury motor coaches.
3
Charter bus uers beware of the over-whelming preponderance of brokers that show up on every page of every Internet search result.
2
News You Can Use:
The answer to our many thousands of website users who question why they need to establish password protection when logging into CDIN websites?
6
Get the Top 20 bits of information and questions that every potential charter bus user should know and ask of their bus transportation company.
2
“This newsletter is intended to benefit all visitors to the Bus Charter Dispatch web site.”
What is Bus Charter Dispatch?
Bus Charter Dispatch is part of the Charter Dispatch International Network (CDIN) of web sites. The BCD website was established to permit the general charter bus going public to upload their bus needs and have our established group of bus companies bid on those specific requirement(s). Through our unique quoting process, the consumer will then benefit from spirited
and competitive pricing and higher standards of safe and reliable charter bus transportation. For those not having the luxury of time for our bid & quote process we also have the largest known database of bus rental and charter bus companies in North America. Simply login and search our thousands of rental bus and bus charter companies in the U.S.A., Canada and Europe.
Knowledge is Power: Ask your Bus Companies
Remember, knowledge is power.
Always come prepared with the right questions and information.
Potential Additional Costs.
1. How much mileage is allowed and what is my cost if I go over?
2. Is your quote inclusive of tolls, parking fees and entrance costs?
3. What is the cancellation policy of your charter bus company?
4. Who is financially responsible for room and food of bus driver?
5. What is the company standard for a bus drivers’ gratuity?
Safe and Worry Free Bus Trips.
6. What happens in the event the bus malfunctions/breaks down?
7. Can you provide proof of your required charter bus insurance?
8. Does the company operate its’ own charter buses?
Careful on the answer to this question!
9. Are your buses available to be inspected prior to departure?
10. Do you have membership in National Bus Associations such as CDIN, ABA, UMA or OMCA?
11. Does your company have it’s own maintenance facility and are the records posted online? Keeping things on the up and up.
12. How much deposit does the bus company require at time of
The questions listed in this article are for representation only. BCD recommends that you fully read our Top Ten section found in navigational bar at top of BCD website.
The questions you ask charter bus companies are important, listening to their responses are even more important
Charter Bus Users Beware: Watch for Bus Brokers on all searches
The unfortunate truth is countless charter bus users have searched, found and conducted business with bus rental brokers without ever realizing they were dealing with a broker. Some may even have had an over-priced, but acceptable experience with the bus charter operator they were supplied with. However, at BCD we believe that you should always be given full and complete disclosure as to the bus company you entrust your corporate, personal, private and or public transportation and especially safety with.
While not all bus brokers are evil, there is one plain and simple fact to acknowledge; you will always be charged higher rates by a rental bus broker than you
Bus Charter Dispatch is not a bus broker and never charges visitors any service fees.
Silverado Stages “Going the Distance for Travelers”
Selverado Stage President and CEO gives you his topten reasons to use Silverado luxury tour and charter bus services when traveling these beautiful United States of America and Canada. 1. We do the driving: You're free from the headache of traffic, roadmaps, parking, and difficult conditions. You’re free of distractions and responsibilities, free enough to enjoy the travel while a true professional driver handles the wheel of your luxury charter bus. 2. You actually see the sights: What good is it to drive through the exquisite mountains, deserts, towns and villages of this country if your entire field of view is a broken white line or the road ahead? Charter bus service allows your own private panoramic window to the incredible scenery now easily viewed by you. 3. Sleep if you'd like: Deluxe Silverado charter service provides you with stylish and comfortable reclining seats. This is what lavish charter bus touring is all about… comfort, convenience and most of all safety. 4. Socialize with your friends: If you'd rather visit with friends and fellow travelers, you can do it virtually any time you feel up to it. There's no better way to meet new acquaintances or to enjoy the company of old friends than the adventure of travelling on an exciting and lavish motorcoach road trip together.
5. Enjoy a movie: Can't sleep? Not up for any more conversation? In many cases, you can now enjoy a
full-length feature film and videos of your group's own activities while you travel on Silverado buses. 6. Save money: There is no more economical way to travel, period. You'll be pleased to find that luxury doesn't come at a high price on today's charter bus. In most cases, each traveler's share of the cost of a professional motor coach will be far less than other modes of public transportation and even less than private autos. (By the way, have you ever tried to coordinate the movements of 20 separate cars for a single trip? Would you want that headache again?) 7: Door-to-door service: Your tour bus can go where you are or take you where you want to be. There’s no substitute for the huge convenience of a charter buses door-to-door service. Nor is there a substitute for the sense of security and peace-of-mind which comes from that service. No more dealing with dark parking lots in unfamiliar cities, parks or venues.
8. Think about the environment: Seeing the U.S.A. and Canada responsibly also means leaving the beauty intact for the next visitors. The buses of today have become extremely fuel-efficient. On a per passenger basis, a new charter bus is among the cleanest type of transportation in the world. This is in particular good to know when traveling through the majestic
Bus Company of the month (continued)
U.S.A. and Canadian National Park systems. 9. Safety first: In the bus charter industry, there is nothing more important than safety. Accident statistics maintained by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) attest that you are 1,097 times safer on a motorcoach then your personal car. Now, most Silverado Stage charter buses feature seat belts for even greater safety. 10. Get surprised: Frankly, if your last trip by charter bus was more than 5 years ago, you’re in for a real treat. This isn't the bus you rode to school or home in. This isn't the way you returned from visiting Auntie Emma. European style charter buses are a delight. And, as America's professionals we'll delight in surprising you.
Silverado Stages was established in 1987. They operate one of the largest and newest private fleets of European style charter buses, motor coaches, tour and double deck buses throughout the entire United States and Canada.
Silverado Stage has a superlative record for customer safety and care. Terminal hubs are located throughout California. Silverado offers customized group tours, convention, shuttle or company services. Silverado also operates AmTrak fixed route services.
It is with great pride that CDIN announces Silverado Stage, Inc.
Knowledge is Power (continued)
booking? 20-25% is considered a normal refundable booking deposit.
13. When is final payment due? Such payments are made in as little as a few days to and as many as 30 days prior to start of your bus trip.
14. What are the bus company’s cancelation policies? Most charter companies allow you to cancel up to 7 (most 14) days without penalty.
15. How soon do I need to book? Always book at least 3 or 4 weeks in advance dependent upon availability and busy season (carrier variable).
16. Should I tip the bus operator? A standard driver gratuity in North America is 10%. It is always best to tip driver directly rather than make arrangements through bus carrier.
17. Who pays parking, tolls, etc? Although most bus companies will pay these costs there may be added costs involved. Please discuss.
18. Who should pay for driver’s hotel room? Most bus carriers will pay, but cost and availability of the driver may come into play. Always check with hotel for a driver “comp” room when a large travel group.
19. Who is responsible for delays in traffic weather or acts of God? Most bus companies will charge you for such occurrences. Please discuss.
20. Always verify Federal, State or Provincial authorities prior to choosing your charter bus rental company. Please login to access Federal information on BCD.
Silverado stages, inc.
Silverado Stage
Selected as our inaugural charter bus company of the month, Silverado Stage of California has been in business for nearly 25 years. Their safety and service is unrivaled by any charter bus company throughout North America. Come ride with Silverado.
Knowledge is Power
At BCD we want you to have the knowledge when selecting your next Charter Bus or Rental Bus Company. Please use our 20 questions and bits of information the next time you think of chartering or renting a motorcoach, tour coach or luxury bus.
would by dealing with a bus charter carrier directly.If you have excess money to spend and don’t mind paying as much as 20%-100% more for the benefit of having someone else do your legwork, (and you are advised they are a broker and will charge you XX% more) you need not read further. But, if you want to receive the best price and have the peace-of-mind in knowing who will actually be arriving at your door-step to transport you and your group, as well as the knowledge of their safety record is… then continue to read through the balance of this article.
First let’s discuss the obvious. If you effect a search on the Internet and use charter bus rental(s), charter bus & City Name, bus charter rentals, etc. etc., you will always receive an initial result of between 75-80% of bus brokers on the first few pages. To view some of these “bus brokers” please click on “broker links” and remember these sites so you can avoid them in the future. It is important that you read these web sites carefully as most bus brokers will obscure their notification (if stated at all), deep inside their cyclic and bombastic generated copy for the shear benefit of search engine robots. You might even notice a site that says, “We're not local bus owners. We’re not brokers, we’re specialists”. Just imagine, they retail another bus company’s services for profit and gain, and they somehow are no longer a broker, but a specialist of sorts? This is important to bare in mind because as proficient as brokers are in saying a lot in volume, but nothing in content, their telesales staff is even better versed in the art of double talking you on exactly what they really do and will receive from your charter bus business. It is very well known that telesales people are independently contracted and only generate income from their sales. Never allow yourself to be taken in by the following lines… “We only use specific charter bus or bus rental operators because we [the bus broker] know them to be safe and well run bus companies”. But we can’t tell you right now who will be your charter bus company because…” I’ve personally dealt with this particular bus company for many years and have never had a problem with them, but
I’m not sure they’re available, let me call you back.” “We have guaranteed relationships and prices with this [or that bus] company that enables us to give you the best price because of our volume of bus business with them.” “If you give me your credit card I will reserve a great bus company for you and let you know a day or so before your service [or function]. “We deal with hundreds of the best charter bus and rental bus companies throughout the United States and Canada. Regardless of which one you end up with they are all the finest of charter bus companies.” “We know who are the better bus companies out there, and sure you’ll pay us a little more, but wouldn’t you rather pay a little more and know you’re getting a top rated charter bus company?”
If someone says any of the above, or variations of the above in an effort to sell you charter bus service then you are dealing with a bus broker that won’t think twice about taking you’re hard earned dollars.
Bus brokers always display non-logo bus pictures. Such buses don’t exist because the broker does not ever operate a charter bus, tour bus, motor coach or minibus. Much less having any real experience as an operator of highly technical and regulated vehicles.
When reviewing websites, generally reputable bus companies place their Federal ICC MC and USDOT authorization call numbers somewhere that is easily seen by the web visitor. In many States it is required that authorities are clearly posted so all visitors can easily view the State PUC or DOT numbers.
The bottom line is quite simple. If you believe that the national bus brokers found in preponderance on any Internet won’t cost you more money in the end then dealing direct through a charter bus company or BCD, then use our list of major bus brokers as a guide. Alternatively, if you’re hard earned money and the safety of family and friends are important, then you must take the time and research the bus company that transports up to 78 people on a single bus. Please use our hints and tips to their fullest.
Registering: Why do all CDIN websites require registration?
The explanation as to why every CDIN web site mandates you to register is quite simple. At CDIN we protect all our users personal information that you unknowing and freely issue to most websites for blind quotes and or services.
When you issue private email or address data about yourself and such information isn’t rigorously protected, you risk the potential of ending up on some company’s mailing list or worse. CDIN will never sell your personal data to any other companies, services or entities. You have our guarantee
and solemn promise on that.
BCD protects your email address and private information through strict adherence to guidelines set by government regulations. Not even BCD hierarchy can retrieve a lost password because they are encrypted and shielded by our safeguard system.
Only the website user (you) can decide how you are contacted by BCD charter bus members. Just remember to utilize a password that is simple and easy to recall when registering. And, should you loose your password, don’t
Websites requesting your private information don’t need to have you register because you already did.
Bus Charter Dispatch is owned and operated by Charter Dispatch International Network (CDIN).
Corporate offices located: P.O. Box 16829, Provo, Utah, 84601 U.S.A.
Bus charter Dispatch
P.O. Box 16829
Provo, Utah 84601
United States of America
