Hiring a motor coach for your trip – whether for a night out on the town, a one-day field trip for schools, sports or other events, or a week-long holiday excursion – can be a big responsibility. Learning a few details beforehand will ensure that you choose the right company and guarantee a safe and enjoyable journey for your group.
To make things clearer, find out as much as you can about a motor coach company and compare the services of others before you hire one. What kind of information does the company provide on its website or over the phone? Ask questions about insurance, permits, safety practices and the vehicle you'd like to hire. For a longer trip, ask how the driver is accommodated. What you learn will help you to narrow the field and find a company that you can trust. You will also know what is expected from you and avoid surprises further down the road.
To help you in your search, BCTA has compiled information flyers that cover the most common areas of concern for travel agencies, recreation and social groups, schools, and others who'd like to charter a motor coach, as well as some items that you might not think to ask about.
The flyers are available in PDF format for you to download:
If you have questions about details that aren't covered, don't hesitate to ask the company that you'd like to do business with. Most are happy to provide you with the information you need to decide whether you'd like to charter a coach and driver with them.
And, if you have general suggestions or questions that we haven't covered in our flyers and would like to have them included, please e-mail them to BCTA at bcta@bctrucking.com. We may not be able to answer individual questions but your feedback would help us to improve future versions.
You will also find helpful information about working with a motor coach company on the website of Motor Coach Canada (MCC), the national professional association for motor coach operators. All BCTA member companies are also members of MCC.