Six Questions to ask to ensure your bus trip is successful

There is a lot to think about when choosing a coach provider. We get it. We believe that you deserve to have a trusted partner that takes away the worry. Here are six questions to ask a bus company to ensure your next charter is successful!

QUESTION 1 Does the company have an on-time promise?

We understand how important your schedule is, and that is why we take our on-time performance very seriously. We monitor and track our on-time performance and last year, we had a 97% on-time performance rating.

QUESTION 2 Does the company take safety seriously?

Ensuring your trip goes without a hitch, is a top priority for our entire team. Here are a few specific questions to ask, to confirm the bus company is taking safety seriously.

Question 2.1 : What steps do the company and drivers complete for trip planning?

Our dispatch and sales staff review every trip itinerary in advance to certify the trip can be completed within the hours of service regulations. These regulations are important, as they help guarantee the drivers are able to get adequate rest and operate, when they are most alert. We take into account the amount of miles, the type of roads being traveled on, the amount of stops requested, the time of year and possible weather considerations that may be encountered. All of these can impact the amount of time needed to get to your destination. In addition, we check to ensure that all the stops on your route can be accessed by a coach and are safe for us to be there. The drivers are also provided with the trip details and itinerary in advance, and research the best route to take. Drivers also monitor changing weather and road conditions along the way and make adjustments as needed.

Question 2.2: Is there a limit on the amount of miles we can drive in one day? What if we need to go farther?

While many factors impact this, a general rule of thumb is 500km. The type of roads traveled on, the amount of stops, time of year, and time of day are just some of the contributing factors. Don’t worry though, our team will help review your itinerary to confirm we are able to do it without an issues. If you need to travel farther than that in a day, our team can set up additional relay drivers along the route, to guarantee your group’s safety and all drivers remain within the regulations.

Question 2.3: How do you handle bad weather or other unforeseen circumstances?

All of our drivers are trained on driving in inclement weather and road conditions of all kinds. If at any time they feel it is unsafe to travel, they will work with your team, as well as our team in the office, to ensure you and your group are taken care of. We have a dispatcher available to all of our drivers 24/7.

Question 2.4: What do you do to ensure your vehicles are safe? Our drivers conduct a pre-trip inspection at the start of the day, as well as a post-trip inspection at the end. These inspections check key components of the coach, such as tire pressure, fluid levels, the engine compartment, belts, overall condition of the coach, as well as many of the creature comforts. If they discover any issues that would impact the safe operation of the vehicle, the drivers contact our maintenance staff immediately, to either repair the issue or replace the vehicle, before it ever leaves our facility.

Question 2.5: How do you screen your drivers before hiring? Our drivers meet all RSA standards as a qualified driver. This includes a review of their driving Record to ensure there are no excessive violations and no positive drug and alcohol testing history. Our drivers also complete and pass a road test with one of our safety coordinators before ever transporting a passenger. This allows drivers to demonstrate their skills behind the wheel before hire. Most of our operators also come to us with at least 2 years of prior D1 or D driving experience.

Question 2.6: What speed can your vehicles travel at?

Our drivers will follow all posted speed limits, however, this speed will not exceed 100km. We have a GPS monitoring system that also tracks vehicle speed. Our operation’s team is alerted any time a driver exceeds a posted speed limit, and the driver will receive coaching.

QUESTION 3 If the bus breaks down, how do you know you will be taken care

Express  Bus has a vast nationwide network of affiliates. In the event of a very rare breakdown, our operational teams are able to use our  nationwide network, robust industry affiliations, and CTTC membership, to keep you moving toward your destination.

QUESTION 4 How do you know your bus company is cleaning the buses to the standard you deserve?

The safety of our passengers has always been our top priority and that starts with the cleanliness and disinfecting of our vehicles. Here are a few specific questions to ask, to make certain the bus company is taking safety seriously.

-Question 4.1 : Does the bus company disinfect their vehicles? While we are focused on more frequent cleaning and disinfecting in our own homes, the same is true for preparing our coaches. We complete an intensive cleaning and disinfecting process regularly. Our process includes specific cleaning methods for different areas of the coach, while also paying close attention to highly used areas that include: handrails used for entering and exiting the vehicle, arm rests, driver steering wheel, dash area, head rests, window sills, restroom door handles and hand rails, and baggage door handles.

Question 4.2: What type of decontamination systems do they

In addition to intensive cleaning and disinfecting Express Bus  has also invested in ozone is Portable Decontamination Systems. The ozone  Decontamination System provides a No-Touch, Whole-Room, Whole-Vehicle delivery system of ozone which kills 99.9999% of germs. We have ozone is Decontamination systems in each of our primary locations. The units are also mobile and can be set up and used in any vehicle, anywhere, and any at time. We have accelerated the schedule for use of the ozone is Decontamination system in our coaches. The ozone is Decontamination system will be used every 30 days at a minimum, in each of our coaches.

Question 4.3: Will there be hand sanitizer on your coach? Express Bus has also installed hand sanitizer dispensers at the entrance  areas of the coach. We strongly encourage passengers to remember to sanitize and wash their hands often.

Question 4.4: What is the onboard air quality like on the motorcoach? Our coaches are equipped with standard main HVAC MERV 5 or higher filter media. These filters capture respiratory droplets, including those associated with the Covid-1 9 virus. Current guidance also recommends maximum fresh air exchanges, which our coaches meet this recommendation by providing a minimum of six (6) fresh air exchanges per hour (once every 1 0 minutes) and roof vents that can be manually opened to increase fresh air flow into the vehicle.

These measures, combined with wearing a mask, social distancing on the vehicles, and the air circulation, make motorcoaches a safe and efficient form of travel.

QUESTION 5 How do you know your driver has received proper training so you know your driver will be safe?

Express  Bus drivers are among the top industry professional Is. Our drivers are highly trained in safety, operational procedures, and customer service. Express Bus  drivers must complete hours of training and education prior to being certified to drive for Express Bus. Additionally, all drivers must complete a number of continuing education courses throughout the year to stay current with training

All Express Bus team members must pass a drug screen prior to employment, and Express Bus drivers are subject to random drug and alcohol testing, that exceed the RSA standard

QUESTION 6 Is the company locally owned and can we come visit your fleet?

We are locally owned and operated. Express Bus started over 20 years ago in Norfolk, Nebraska and has expanded to multiple locations nationwide. At each location, we have full service maintenance, operations, and an office facility to handle all of your charter bus needs. Do you want to stop by? Come on in! We are open to show you our facility and all of our motorcoaches on the lot!

Life is too short to worry about your motorcoach transportation. Leave the worry behind and book your next charter now with Express Bus !

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@ www.expressbus.ie