Here are five golden tips for creating smoother road trips:
1. Plan your itinerary as far in advance and as accurately as possible. Invest the necessary time to research your destinations as well as the stops along the way. Do not expect the coach carrier to construct your route. You should ask for their assistance in determining the best route to travel if you are not completely sure. Have all of your dates and times well prepared for your transportation provider so that they can provide accurate, timely quotes.
2. Determine in advance the maximum number of passengers who will be traveling and how much luggage you will allow each person to take with them. Motor coaches typically have three luggage bays underneath while smaller mini coaches have limited room in the rear. Never attempt to place more passengers in any vehicle than the manufacturer capacity will allow. This rule will create a recipe for disaster if you do not adhere to it.
3. Obtain a minimum of three quotes in writing from reputable and safe coach carriers in the local area. Get copies of their safety record, certificate of insurance, and get their DOT number. If possible, make an appointment to visit their facility and see the coach that you will be getting. If the coach carrier has less than five million in liability insurance, they are operating illegally! Get away from those carriers as fast as you can run!
4. When you select the carrier, read and review all the documents associated with the trip completely and thoroughly to avoid any misunderstandings during the trip. Pay close attention to the dates that the initial and final investment are due and send your final itinerary in on time. Make sure that you initial, autograph, date, and send back any docs that require such action.
5. On the day of departure, have your group and their luggage ready to load when the coach arrives. Coach carriers will usually spot 15-30 minutes ahead without any extra fees. Do not expect the coach driver to load your luggage. However, you can certainly ask him to assist you with it. Treat the driver with kindness, respect, and courtesy at all times. Prepare a determined gratuity in advance and add more if the driver performs very well! You may also ask to view his CDL license, but federal privacy laws forbid you to make a copy of it. Make sure that the license shows to be valid and current.
5.5 Show respect for the coach carrier and the driver by assigning members of your group to walk through the coach at the conclusion of the trip with garbage bags and remove all of the trash from the interior. This will save you a huge expense in cleanup fees! These coaches are $400,000 each and represent a substantial investment!
Speck Transportation provides all types of ground transportation with and without a driver, except planes and trains. We serve our clients as trusted advisers, assistant buyers, tough negotiators, and safety experts. When you call us, we will respond quickly to your requests for quotation in a timely manner. We will remove all the hassles and legwork for you, negotiate the optimal overall value package, maximize your budget, and keep you extremely safe as we guide you through the transportation maze! Turn to our 22 of experience and let us serve as your transportation authority!Â
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