Modern buses are a universal and inexpensive way to quickly and comfortably deliver a large group of people (up to 80) to their destination. Renting a bus often becomes the optimal solution when you need to organize a school excursion, transfer to the airport, transportation of employees, a tourist trip, etc. The advantages of such a solution are your budget, the ability to independently choose the points of departure and destination, safety on the way, and flexibility in planning the route.
What to Consider Before Renting a Bus
As a rule, customers need a bus with a driver for rent on a specific date: a wedding, a visit to a museum, or a corporate party around or outside the city. Therefore, booking in advance is the best option as you can choose from the company’s entire fleet and not the remaining free options.
An important factor when renting a bus is its capacity. Depending on the number of passenger seats, the following types of vehicles are distinguished:
- minivans – 7-8 seats;
- minibusses – accommodate 18–20 passengers;
- small buses – 26–30 seats;
- medium buses – can carry 33–38 people;
- large buses – 49–55 seats;
- particularly large class buses – will carry 80 passengers.
It is better to calculate the number of participants in the trip in advance so that no one rides standing or sitting together on the same seat. This is not only inconvenient but also prohibited by traffic rules. If you are still determining the number of passengers, ordering a bus with a few spare seats makes sense. It is worth noting trips organized by educational institutions because, in this case, the customer provides an accurate list of passengers and documents from the school, academy, or university.
Peculiarities of the Vehicle Lease Agreement
Following Article 799 of the Civil Code of Ukraine, a bus or minivan is rented based on a previously written contract. It is notarized if one of the parties is a natural person. The lessor administrates questions related to vehicle insurance. Articles 801 and 803 of the Civil Code oblige the lessee to maintain the vehicle in good technical condition and to compensate for damage if the bus is damaged or lost due to the lessee’s fault.
The peculiarities of the vehicle lease agreement are that such a form gives the lessee more options than a rental agreement. The first option allows transferring control to the second driver, which is essential when hiring a bus without a crew. In addition, the lessee has the right (Article 800 of the Civil Code), independently and without the lessor’s knowledge, to conclude contracts for transportation following the type and purpose of the vehicle.
Recommendations for Preparing for a Bus Trip
When the transport is chosen, and the formalities are settled, it is worth considering how to make the trip pleasant and comfortable. This especially applies to long-term trips between cities and/or countries. Experienced travelers and companies providing transfer services recommend remembering essentials that can easily fit in your hand luggage and come in handy on the road.
An example list looks like this:
- Documents, credit cards, cash.
- Drinking water and a snack.
- Hygienic products, first aid kit.
- Headphones, mobile devices, and chargers for them.
- Earplugs, neck pillow.
When preparing for a long trip, choose comfortable clothes that do not restrict movement and avoid tight, high-heeled shoes.
Codes of Conduct in a Rented Bus
It is necessary to behave like in public transport. It is forbidden to damage the equipment of the bus, cause inconvenience to other passengers, consume alcoholic beverages and narcotic substances, smoke in the cabin, lean out of the windows, leave luggage in the aisle near the main or emergency exit, or distract the driver when the vehicle is in motion.
How to Choose a Bus Rental Company
Renting a bus with a driver is based on a contract to avoid unpleasant situations. It is dishonest if the company wants to avoid drawing up the papers. Remember to also check the passenger transportation license and the documents on passing the vehicle inspection. Having a beautiful and convenient website is a good marker.
Be aware of advertisements offering bus rentals at a price much lower than the average market price. You can often find them on buying and selling sites like OLX. Thus, you can fall into a fraudulent scheme when the lessor asks for a deposit or the full-service cost in advance and then disappears. The police are powerless in such cases because the person transfers money to fraudsters voluntarily.
