How to Ensure a Safe Trip in a Charter Bus?

You are responsible of the travel safety if you own a charter bus or travel as a passenger in one. By ensuring that the bus charter has a properly licensed driver, informed passengers and is in proper running condition, the bus trip can be made safe and enjoyable.

For long trips, it has been made mandatory that the bus driver should be well rested prior to the journey. In case the driver feels drowsy, he needs to convey this immediately to the bus charter company and seek help. According to the law, the driver must possess a valid state driver's license and commercial driver's license. He is also advised to instruct the passengers about the travel guideline formulated by the federal motor carrier safety administration. Generally the drivers at the bus rentals would undergo training course which help them learn how to operate the motor coaches or buses and handle the transit coach equipment. If the driver already is well trained, the training course would help him to polish his time management skills and control precision aptitude through these courses.

According to the US Bureau of labor statistics data, the charter bus driver should essentially hold a high school diploma and a commercial driver's license with the proper endorsements. Usually the rental bus companies opt for drivers who have a relevant work experience. A driver newly appointed in a charter bus would undergo on the job training. Most employees require anywhere from a few months to one year of experience with skilled drivers. The bus charter drivers gain practice by designated itineraries, inspect vehicles and check gas and water levels before they depart for a journey. The training also imparts the driver to handle the tools and equipments like powered service doors, bus kneeling systems and lube guns. They are also trained to improve their knowledge of rear and wheelchair lifts.

Travel safety is not confined to the driver alone. The passengers traveling in the rental buses are also made aware of certain guidelines. Passengers have been advised to keep all items including hand and feet out of the bus's aisles. When they want to stand up or walk up the aisle, they are instructed to use the seat backs or overhead supports to stay steady. They should listen to the instructions given by bus driver all the time. And they must have a thorough understanding of the emergency exit doors, fire extinguisher and first aid box in case of any emergency. They are also advised to call 911 if necessary.

Proper and timely maintenance of the charter bus is also important to ensure the safety of the journey. This is entirely in the hands of Bus Company. The driver should have contact numbers and addresses of towing services and qualified maintenance along the route of the journey. There should be a copy of proof of insurance with the driver and he must keep it in a safe place onboard the bus. This would be useful in case of an accident.