So you have decided to plan a trip and figured taking an Atlanta charter bus would be the best option. With high fuel prices, air fares are still expensive and driving your own car seems costly. If you are traveling with a group of people, chances are you opted for the roominess and comfort offered by the bus as well! With your method of transportation finalized, you decided to pull some quotes from Atlanta bus charter companies in the area (maybe even ours), and lo and behold, you receive a quote you can all but make sense of.

Confused Yet?

You are presented with lots of information and fine print, and a final price at the bottom. Don’t worry, we can help you read the Atlanta charter bus quote and see exactly where your money is being spent. When it comes to comparison shopping, it is important to know the details. Here is a brief overview of the common language of charter quotes, what they mean, and what the rates reflect. Once you understand the basics, it will be easy to figure out which company is giving you the best bang for your buck!

Breaking down the Quote

Hours of use – When travelling locally, a majority of businesses charge by the number of hours the bus is being used vs. how many miles it is driven. The average per-hour rate is approximately $100 and the average minimum usage is 5 hours, although this ranges from 3-6 nationwide.

Gratuity – The average tip is 10%, and this comprises 1/3 of the driver’s wages, making them more inclined to provide excellent service to passengers.

Sales Tax – Sales tax is charged based on each states laws. In Georgia state sales charged is charged for bus trips that originate in Georgia and never leave the state. Most schools are sales tax exempt.

Long-Distance Charters

Mileage – The rates for Atlanta charter buses that travel outside of the pre-determined local radius and/or overnight are based on miles traveled. Average per mile rates vary from $3-$4 per mile depending on level of service and the season.

Day Rate – This is the minimum charge assessed if the per-mile charges do not exceed the combined number of day rates. Average day rates vary from $850-$1500 per day depending on the level of service the carrier provides and the time of  year traveled.

Fuel Surcharge – To avoid having to continuously change rates to accommodate the fluctuations in fuel prices, a fuel surcharge fee is assessed.

Driver Change – A bus operator is not allowed to be on duty 15 hours 10 of which are driving. Once they reach the 10 hour drive time limit they must be off duty in a hotel room for eight consecutive hours before they can return to active duty.  For long-distance trips that require driver changing, a fee is assessed. This varies from $450 to $600 depending on where the change needs to be made in relation to the departure city.

If you have any additional questions or concerns about your Atlanta charter bus quote, do not hesitate to contact us at Samson Trailways. We are here to help you in any way we can and make your trip a pleasant one.