| A bus trip doesn't just happen on its own: It | | | | 4. Send invitations. Send invitations to group |
| requires plenty of planning and organization so that | | | | members, including the trip date, duration, |
| itineraries run smoothly and all participants have an | | | | departure time and return time, cost per person, |
| enjoyable experience. If you've been tasked with | | | | and when the fee is due. Ask the group to RSVP |
| planning a bus trip, you'll need to determine travel | | | | by a date that's at least 4 or 5 days before the |
| times, schedule an itinerary, send out invitations, | | | | date your final head count is due to the bus |
| and book a charter bus service. | | | | company - this allows you to easily manage any |
| Here are some tips for planning a successful bus | | | | last-minute fluctuations in numbers. |
| trip: | | | | 5. Manage reservations. Keep a spreadsheet listing |
| 1. Choose a date and destination. Choose a date | | | | all reservations, contact information and whether |
| and destination for your bus trip. Then, make calls | | | | money has been paid. Email the itinerary to group |
| to book accommodation or activities at the | | | | members as they register. |
| destination. If your group will be visiting theme | | | | 6. Confirm the charter bus service. Confirm the |
| parks or museums, contact the venue to arrange | | | | activities at your destination and the charter bus |
| discounted group entrance fees. | | | | service three to five days before the trip. |
| 2. Book a charter bus service. Ring a number of | | | | 7. Prepare on-board materials. Select some DVDs |
| reputable charter bus services and request a | | | | that can provide entertainment to the group |
| quote. Find out what kind of buses they offer - | | | | during travel and make sure you have a first aid |
| how many people do they hold? Are they air | | | | kit (which the charter bus company may provide) |
| conditioned? Is there a bathroom onboard? Is | | | | and any other on-board materials. |
| there a TV/DVD player? Agree on a deadline for | | | | 8. Greet your group. On the day of the trip, |
| providing a final head count, as well as a | | | | arrive at least 30 minutes before the scheduled |
| cancellation policy. Find out if the bus company | | | | departure time to introduce yourself to the |
| would allow you to make a last-minute change of | | | | charter bus service driver and greet members of |
| bus if your numbers are larger or smaller than | | | | the group as they arrive. |
| anticipated. | | | | By following these simple steps, you'll be able to |
| 3. Create an itinerary. Create an itinerary based | | | | successfully plan and execute a bus trip that runs |
| on the destination and possible routes. With the | | | | smoothly for your group members. Along the |
| help of the charter bus service, decide on how | | | | way, communicate points of interest and always |
| many stopping points will be needed along the | | | | give clear scheduling instructions to the group - |
| way to help make the trip comfortable and what | | | | that is, when and where they need to meet after |
| activities are available along the route. Estimate a | | | | each stop. Finally, stay calm, relax, and enjoy the |
| per person cost for the trip based on bus fees, | | | | ride! |
| entrance fees and any incidentals. | | | | |