Everything You Need To Know About Party Buses

Some of the biggest celebrities are doing it today – the party bus offers one of the most exquisite possibilities for celebrating like a rock star. As a result, party bus rental services are becoming more and more popular.

Prior to choosing a party bus rental, there are a number of important things to learn. Here are some of the most important facts.

Seating Capacity

A party bus rental is suitable for a bigger number of people. It’s ideal for a prom because it can fit an entire class. Party bus rentals are also great for bachelor or bachelorette parties. Large groups of friends can have a great time because of the impressive seating capacity.

A party bus will usually feature sufficient space for anywhere between 30 and 50 people. There are even double decker party buses that can accommodate a bigger number of passengers.

The number of seats is dependent on the bus type. There are limousines and customized buses, each one having its specific capacity. Party bus rental service providers should be capable of providing exact information about the available seating.

Entertainment

Limo buses also offer amazing entertainment options. From comfortable leather seating to multimedia, you’ll get it all.

Some of these buses have been labelled night clubs on wheels. They have a high quality sound system, ambiance lights and even a dance floor. Some party buses may also be equipped with satellite TV, DVD players, gaming consoles and iPod docks.

Safety

Party buses are incredibly safe vehicles. When choosing such a service, you’ll be informed about a few basic safety rules. These are typically designed to help you have a good time without jeopardizing any of the passengers. One of the simplest rules is allowing dancing only when the bus is not in motion. Seat belts are also available. Finally, these buses are serviced by experienced chauffeurs whose sole concern is the safety of the passengers. Because of all these characteristics, a limo bus is one of the best options for reaching the final destination stylishly and safely.

Convenient Commuting

A party bus rental will ensure convenient and fast commuting. Professional chauffeurs know what it takes to help their clients reach their final destination on time. The vehicle itself is quite powerful and comfortable to ride. Thus, you can be sure that you’ll arrive quickly and the commute time will be limited.

 

WHAT TO CONSIDER WHEN RENTING A PARTY BUS

Party bus rentals come in all shape and sizes and vary in sizes, ranging from 12 to 50 passengers. They can be used for a variety of events including weddings, birthdays, holiday parties, wine and brewery tours, sporting events, corporate events and many more.

Here are 4 helpful tips to make sure whatever the destination, your party bus rental is perfect.

  1. PLAN & RESEARCH

party buses are in high demand and if you are going to a popular concert, sporting event or holiday party, there is a chance it’ll be a busy night to rent a party bus.

We recommend securing your rental at least 4-6 weeks in advance to ensure you get the best bus available with all of the amenities you want. Cheaper does not mean better! Transportation is an expensive business when done safely and correctly.

Don’t be tempted to save a few dollars by going with a cheap party bus company because the chances are, you will receive a poor service and an old, cheap vehicle. Safety is not something worth risking, and it is important to research the company thoroughly before booking. Have you checked their yelp reviews and CHP rating?

  1. GROUP SIZE

Like any party, you need to know how many people will be attending. As per CA law, the quantity of people who can ride the on each party bus is restricted to a maximum capacity. This is important because you don’t want to rent an 20 passenger party bus and have 25 people in your group because our drivers cannot legally permit more people onboard than the legal capacity.

This ensures the quality of service, a comfortable experience and most importantly, that we are operating legally and safely. Know your headcount before you pick the party bus.

  1. ORGANIZING YOUR EVENT

This may seem obvious as you are renting a party bus for your special event, but many rentals have multiple destinations and it is very important for us to know the total length of time you need to rent our vehicle for.

The average party bus rental is extended by 30 minutes and more than 25% of all party bus rentals get extended by more than 90 minutes. So when planning your night, assume you will go longer and factor that into your evening plans. Let your PBG sales rep know so they can help plan your route for your party bus event in LA or OC.

  1. COST

The bigger the group, the more cost effective it becomes to rent a party bus! Many people rent party buses as a group (PartyBusGroup ..get it!), sharing the cost. So if you are the organizer, make sure you understand the entire cost for the evening to make sure everyone can contribute evenly.

Make sure you understand the hourly rate and you ask about gratuity or other taxes, service or overtime fees.

 

Tips You Need to Know Before Your Next Party Bus Rental

Before you book your next party bus rental, here is what you need to know.

  1. Know What You Need.

Know what you need and stick to it – don’t be swayed by last-ditch attempts from shady salesmen on wasteful upgrades.

It is impossible to take advantage of an informed buyer, so take your time to thoroughly research your options.

These are some of the most important particulars to consider before booking a party bus:

  • Number of guests
  • Pick up and drop off location
  • Preferred date and back-up dates, if applicable
  • The number of hours requested
  • Number and location of stops
  1. Choose the Locals.

When searching for your perfect party bus rental, do consider narrowing your search to local companies. Because much of pricing is based on mileage and travel time, it’s especially important to choose a local vendor who won’t add unnecessary miles and charges to your account before you even board. Often, local companies have lower operating costs and more affordable insurance because they are based in a more centralized location. This, in turn, makes the entire experience more affordable for you.

  1. Try to plan your route in advance.

By planning your itinerary, your driver will be able to map your route in advance. It will also ensure that you have planned for enough time. Never underestimate the amount of time it takes to simply gather a group together in order to board and/or depart.

  1. Review that Contract.

Before signing a contract or submitting any payment information, be sure to receive a written copy of your contract. It should include all of the terms for your event rental, itemizing all charges, taxes, and fees for your review. Confirm all dates, times, and addresses are correct, as well as the actual vehicle itself.

  1. Book In. Advance.

We cannot stress this one enough. It’s especially vital when working with larger parties that will need specific or multiple vehicles. Take a wedding party, for instance; it is recommended that you book 8-12 months out. However, most weddings accommodate well over 100 people and trying to schedule transportation for everyone can be challenging.

 

Party Bus Regulations

The Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) is in charge of regulating safety for charter bus companies, which also includes party buses. Limo companies and party buses under UTC regulation meet the following criteria:

  • the party bus has a seating capacity of more than 14 passengers behind the driver;
  • the company that operates such a vehicle advertises itself as providing party bus services, or words to that effect;
  • the vehicle’s interior has been altered from its original factory condition by adding an enhanced audio system, flat-screen TVs, DVD players, laser lights, dance poles, karaoke equipment, bar, removal of seats for greater floor space, etc.

UTC safety rules parallel federal safety rules for all passenger bus companies, whether auto transportation or charter companies. UTC rule WAC 480-30-191 applies for vehicles with a seating capacity of 15 passengers or fewer and requires the company to obtain and maintain insurance levels of $1.5 million. Companies that own vehicles with a seating capacity of more than 15 need to obtain and maintain insurance levels of $5 million.

 

we’ve compiled 10 commonsense  don’ts for your party bus rental:

DON’Ts

  1. Never hire a bus company without doing your due diligence. A company’s MDOT number, insurance status, safety and inspection record, and accident history are all a matter of public record. Take five minutes and review that record.
  2. No underage drinking. Period. When minors are onboard, the chaperone is responsible for making sure underage passengers do not drink. The bus driver may ask to see identification, and reserves the right to terminate the charter with no refund if underage drinking is discovered.
  3. No illegal substances.
  4. No weapons.
  5. No smoking. Most charter bus companies have strict no-smoking policies.
  6. No standing or dancing on upholstered seats.
  7. No behavior that distracts the driver.
  8. No intoxication or disorderly conduct such as fighting, verbal abuse, or behavior that could be deemed “indecent.” Any of these are grounds for the driver to terminate the charter with no refund.
  9. No “bus surfing” (i.e., breaking open an emergency exit hatch and climbing onto the roof of the vehicle while in motion or stopped). For that matter, don’t put any body part outside of the vehicle’s windows or emergency exits at any time. Not only are these behaviors against the law, they could result in serious injury or death.
  10. Don’t leave anything behind. Check for your purse, wallet, keys, phone, and jacket before you disembark at the end of the night.