|
How long should we plan to travel each day, and how
far can we go?
The Department of Transportation (DOT) regulates the bus
industry. Bus drivers are required to carry a current DOT
Physical Exam Card, be drug tested under DOT guidelines, and
maintain a log of miles driven and hours of service. The
DOT regulation 395.10 restricts bus driver's driving time.
There are three parts:
-10
Hour Rule - The bus driver cannot drive more than
10 hours following 8 consecutive hours off-duty (except for
emergencies).
-15
Hour Rule - After 15 hours on-duty (driving and
non-driving tasks), a driver cannot continue driving until 8
consecutive hours off-duty time is taken.
-70
Hour Rule - On-duty time cannot exceed 70 hours for
any period of 8 consecutive days.
Are
there locations which should be avoided with a bus?
We
can transport your group to virtually any location, on a
paved road, which can be reached by motor vehicle. There
are a few things you should remember. Weighing as much as
26 tons, our motorcoaches can not cross some bridges which
have lower weight limits. Likewise, our motorcoaches are
very tall, ranging from 12 to 13 feet. Do not plan a route
to travel under lower clearance bridges, or into areas where
there are low hanging tree limbs or other obstacles. Some
non-paved roads, which may be fine for an automobile, may
not be suitable for a bus. Motorcoaches are “on-road”
vehicles. There is no better way to ruin a perfect trip
than for your motorcoach to get stuck in sand or mud or in
an area where there isn’t adequate room to maneuver. Your
driver will inform you if he/she feels you are asking to go
to an unsuitable location.
How soon
do I need to reserve buses for my trip?
The earlier you book, the more options you will have.
During the busiest times of the year (fall and spring) our
buses are often booked six months or more in advance.
The best advice is to reserve your buses as early as
possible.
Will I need to pay a
deposit? A
deposit is required to secure your reservation. The
amount of the deposit will vary, depending on the duration
of your trip. Generally the deposit is $200 per trip.
When will the final payment
be due?
Unless another arrangement has been made in advance, the
final payment must be paid prior to departure.
What
is the cancellation policy?
You may cancel your bus, without penalty, up to
30-days prior to the trip. After 30-days, your deposit will
not be refunded.
|
