Organizing a shuttle service does not come without its fair share of challenges. From coordinating convenient pickup and drop-off locations to securing safe charter bus rentals, there are a lot of factors to consider. Renting a shuttle service remains the most effective way of reliably transporting passengers to and from their destination.
School bus rentals in New York City are ultimately the most affordable option when launching a shuttle service, comfortably accommodating up to 47 passengers at a time. Whether you are looking to organize a shuttle service for K-12 field trips, your sports team, student groups, or for large-scale corporate events, Bus.com has you covered.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about launching a shuttle service with school bus rentals, including factors impacting school bus rental prices, ways to save money, and shuttle service best practices.
Factors impacting school bus rental prices
There are a number of factors that determine the price of your school bus rental in New York City, ranging from time of year, distance travelled, the driver’s on-duty time, and more. Let’s take a closer look at each factor and how it impacts school bus rental prices.
Time of year
When organizing a shuttle service, it is important to consider time of year. School bus rental prices tend to surge during peak season, which is usually in the Fall or Spring. As the demand for school bus rentals increases, so will the price. Indeed, it is recommended to book your school bus rental as early as possible to avoid price surging, typically between six and nine months in advance.
This will ultimately give Bus.com ample time to source your school bus rental shuttle service from one of our 3,300 trusted, local bus suppliers at an affordable rate.
Distance travelled and fuel prices
Distance travelled and fuel prices are additional factors to consider when organizing a shuttle service and will impact school bus rental prices. School bus rentals are typically recommended for shuttle services over shorter distances, offering a safe and reliable ride between point A and B. Full-sized coach bus rentals and mini coach bus rentals, by contrast, are ideal for trips over three hours.
Fluctuating fuel prices will also impact your school bus rental quote. Simply put, the bigger the charter bus rental, the more fuel it will consume. While changes in fuel prices can lead to higher school bus rental prices, this is only the case when a large spike or significant decrease occurs. Minor day-to-day fluctuations in fuel prices are unlikely to drastically impact school bus rental prices.
Bus Type
The type of bus you choose ultimately depends on your trip type and group size. School bus rentals are beloved by shuttle service organizers for their affordability and reliability, safely transporting large groups of passengers over shorter distances. Unlike common charter bus rentals, school bus rentals do not come equipped with a range of modern amenities, but this is what keeps this charter bus rental so affordable.
Bus.com currently offers three types of school bus rentals, including the Thomas School Bus, the International RE300, and the Bluebird Vision. Before booking your shuttle service, be sure to keep in mind your group size, distance travelled, and how exactly you intend on using the school bus rental. Our award-winning booking specialists work around the clock if you have any questions!
Driver’s On-Duty Time
A common misconception when booking a shuttle service is that desired amenities drive up school bus rental prices the most. But did you know that, in fact, a driver’s on-duty time has the most significant impact on your school bus rental price? A driver’s on-duty time simply refers to both the “drive time” and “on-duty time”, including the time spent waiting at pickup locations.
Here are country-specific regulations for a driver’s on-duty time in Canada and the United States:
Country-specific regulations for driving in Canada
These regulations have been established and enforced by the Motor Coach Canada Association.
- A driver can drive a maximum of 13 hours per day.
- On-duty time must not exceed 14 hours per day.
- Off-duty time must reach a minimum of 10 hours in a 24-hour period.
Country-specific regulations for driving in the United States
These regulations have been established and enforced by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
- A driver can drive a maximum of 10 hours per day.
- On-duty time must not exceed 15 hours per day.
- Off-duty time must reach a minimum of eight consecutive hours.
Ways to save money on a School Bus Rental Shuttle Service
There are a number of ways you can save money when organizing a shuttle service in New York City. Whether that means travelling during off-season, or filling the school bus to capacity, Bus.com is here to help with expert tips.
Travel during off-season
The best way to save money on your school bus rental shuttle service is to travel during off-season, much like in the tourism industry. School bus rentals are at their most expensive during the Fall and Spring seasons, as you are competing directly with school and corporate groups.
School bus rental prices are, in fact, at their lowest in the middle of Winter or in the Summer when school is out and employees are on holiday. If booking a shuttle service during the off-season does not align with your dates, be sure to get in touch with Bus.com up to six and nine months in advance for the lowest school bus rental price.
Fill the bus
One of the most important steps when coordinating a recurring shuttle service is to get an accurate headcount of your group. Put simply, how many passengers do you need to transport?
This ultimately lowers your cost per seat, ensuring no money is wasted. On average, school bus rentals can comfortably accommodate up to 47 passengers at a time. For smaller groups, minibus rentals and mini coach bus rentals are better fits, seating 21 and 31 people respectively.
Limit stops
The final step when booking a shuttle service in New York City is streamlining your itinerary as much as possible. Multi-stop itineraries will ultimately lead to a higher school bus rental quote as the driver’s on-duty time, distance travelled, and fuel consumption all increase. Cutting down on unnecessary stops in-between will not only save you time and money, but also limits the possibility of stragglers holding your group behind.
This is not particularly a big issue with school bus rentals as these charter buses are typically used for one-stop trips over shorter distances.
Best Practices for School Bus Rental Shuttle Services
Organizing a shuttle service for the first time can be overwhelming, but with Bus.com by your side, the experience will be a seamless one. With over 40,000 charter bus rentals to choose from and an abundance of experience at coordinating safe and reliable transportation for groups of all sizes, we have you covered.
Before booking your shuttle service, you should ask yourself a series of questions.
- How many locations is my shuttle service covering?
- How many people am I expecting to transport?
- Will there be multiple pickup and drop-off locations?
- Is there a certain time or area in New York City that is better avoided?
- Will a single location fill an entire shuttle bus?
Ultimately, getting answers to these questions will ensure the smooth running of your shuttle service. We also recommended handing out maps with every pick-up and drop-off location clearly outlined, avoiding any mixups. When organizing a shuttle service, it is also recommended to account for extra buffer time at each pick-up location. This guarantees that your school bus rental shuttle service will run on schedule!
Have More Questions About New York City School Bus Rentals?
Now that you are aware of the factors that impact school bus rental prices and ways to save money on your shuttle service, you might still have a few final questions. From school bus rental prices to how to book your shuttle service, we have all the answers.
How much does a school bus rental cost?
The average school bus rental prices fluctuate between $389 and $850 per day, depending on the driver’s on-duty time, distance travelled, amenities, time of year, local availability, and fuel prices. Keep in mind that industry standards dictate that there is a minimum four-hour rental fee for school bus rental prices. Get in touch with our award-winning booking specialist for your school bus rental quote or use one online booking tool!
What amenities are available with a school bus rental?
School bus rentals may not come with a wide range of modern amenities, but this is what, in fact, helps keep costs streamlined and your shuttle service within budget. Each school bus rental nonetheless comes with a fully-vetted and experienced driver that will safely navigate through NYC’s traffic and congestion so you don’t have to. School bus rentals are particularly ideal for shuttle services over shorter distances, offering comfortable seating and spacious leg-room.
When should I book my school bus rental?
The best way to secure the lowest school bus rental price is to book your shuttle service as early as possible. As highlighted above, school bus rental prices peak during Fall and Spring due to an increased demand and lack of local availability. As such, it is recommended to book your shuttle service between six and nine months in advance, or as soon as you have your travel dates. Bus.com has forged meaningful relationships with over 3,300 trusted local bus suppliers across North America and will work directly with you to secure an affordable school bus rental shuttle service.
How do I rent a school bus near me?
Ready to book? Get in touch with our award-winning booking specialists at 1 (855) 428-7266 and discuss your transportation needs. From streamlining your itinerary to finding the perfect bus type for your NYC shuttle service, our team is here to help. Alternatively, you can input your trip parameters into our easy-to-use online booking tool and generate a detailed quote in less than two minutes!
