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Making Informed Choices When Chartering a Bus

Recent events involving charter bus safety may leave group organizers and travel planners wondering how to make an informed decision when selecting a charter bus company. In an effort to help you make an informed decision, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) recommend the following six tips for contracting chartered bus service.

Ask if your bus will be subcontracted. It is not uncommon for bus companies to hire a bus (and driver) from another company to serve you. If your bus will be leased or subcontracted from another company, you may want to review that company’s safety and insurance information as well. If any company is reluctant to provide this information, that may be a red flag.

Check the company’s safety rating. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has online searchable databases available for the public to either examine the safety history of a single carrier or to narrow down possible companies from a list of many serving your area. The FMCSA search options may be accessed by visiting their Web site.

DPS also maintains records on motor carriers, including bus companies, relating to intrastate safety ratings (if applicable), compliance reviews and enforcement history, along with roadside inspection reports. E-mail DPS to request information about a specific motor carrier.

TxDOT has an online searchable database available that provides information on whether a carrier has active motor carrier registration and insurance on file with the state. This database does not reflect a carrier’s state or federal safety rating and may still not reflect whether a carrier has operating authority, so make sure to check multiple sources for information. The TxDOT online search feature can be accessed through the Motor Carrier Inquiry.

Contact your local Better Business Bureau (BBB). The BBB keeps record of complaints lodged by other consumers, and these complaints may be helpful in making your final decision.

Request proof of current insurance coverage. All charter bus companies are required by law to carry $5 million in insurance coverage. It is not uncommon for potential customers to request proof, and most will be more than happy to fax it to you. You can also check a company’s insurance history using the FMCSA online database tools.

Ask to visit their facility. Touring the buses, seeing the garage and hearing about the company’s maintenance program can help give you a better sense of a company’s commitment to safety. Just as you’d kick the tires on a new car before making your purchase decision, it can be wise to do the same when chartering bus services.

Inquire about your driver. There are many regulations affecting drug and alcohol testing of your bus driver, the amount of time a driver may drive before taking a mandated break and the frequency with which a driver’s health must be certified. Additionally, all charter bus drivers must hold a current commercial driver license (CDL). Make sure the company you’re considering is aware of the legal requirements and follows them to the letter. You can also run a criminal conviction check on the driver if you have their information, which may include past DWI convictions, through DPS.

In addition to these suggestions, the FMCSA has made available their own list of suggested topics to ask about. Those topics can be found online by visiting the FMCSA.