Conventional Bus, Transit Bus, or Charter Coach: Which One Fits Your Group?

Most people who call us already know they need a bus. What they are less sure
about is which one. It is a fair question, because the right vehicle depends less
on the size of your group than on where you are going and how long you will be on
the road. Here is how the three types we run differ, and how to tell which one
fits.

The conventional school bus (up to 77)

This is the yellow bus most people picture. It seats up to 77 and is the most
economical way to move a large group a short to medium distance. For a single
class heading across Gainesville, a grade level going to a park in Newberry, or a
daily route within the county, it is usually the obvious choice.

What it is built for is durability and capacity, not comfort on a long haul. If
your trip keeps the group within an hour or so of home, the conventional school
bus does the job for the least money.

The transit school bus (up to 83)

The transit bus is the largest vehicle we run, seating up to 83. The extra
capacity matters more than it sounds: it is often the difference between sending
one bus and sending two. One vehicle means one driver, one loading point, and one
person to coordinate with, which keeps both the cost and the logistics down.

When a full grade level needs to travel together, or a route has more riders than
a standard bus can hold, the transit school bus is
the one we reach for.

The charter coach (up to 56)

The charter coach is the comfortable option. It seats up to 56 in reclining
seats, with luggage bays underneath and climate control throughout. Fewer seats
than a school bus, but built for distance and for trips where the ride itself is
part of the day.

For athletics traveling to a regional game, a group heading out of the county, or
any trip long enough that comfort matters, the charter
coach is worth the difference.

A simple way to decide

Two questions usually settle it:

• How far are you going? Under an hour, a school bus is fine. Farther than
  that, the charter coach is worth the difference.
• How many riders? Up to 56 gives you every option. Between 56 and 83, a
  transit bus keeps everyone on one vehicle.

If your group is larger than 83, we run more than one bus and coordinate them so
everyone arrives together.

Still not sure?

Tell us the group size, the destination, and roughly how long you will be out,
and we will tell you which vehicle we would send and why. There is no cost to
ask. Request a quote or see the full fleet to compare them
side by side.