How do i order services?
You may order your services over the phone, by fax or by email. See our Contact page.
When should I book my services?
As soon as you have finalized the dates the transportation services will be needed, we recommend that you start your reservation. This will place the buses you need on hold for your group. Your contract will have a revision and cancellation policy for you to sign. Up until that time you will be able to make changes to your order, space available.
I have my confirmation. Can I still make changes. Will I loose my reservation?
Charter service rentals are confirmed for a specific time of use on a specific date. Other customers may use the same bus in the same day. We will try to accommodate your request when possible to change your charter time in so much as the change does not move in to another customers rental time period. Please let us know as soon as possible, of the need to move your services more than 30 minutes in time. We will check the schedule for your service day and re-confirm the changes or denial to you
What if I need to cancel some or all of my services after confirmation?
As soon as you have finalized the dates the transportation services will be needed, we recommend that you start your reservation. This will place the buses you need on hold for your group. Your contract will have a revision and cancellation policy for you to sign. Up until that time you will be able to make changes to your order, space available.
What are fuel surcharges?
When fuel costs spike after our tariffs are established... a fuel surcharge is put in effect to offset these unforeseen added costs till the cost of fuel comes back down.
Is sales tax included in the rates?
There is no sales tax on charter services in California.
There is although a very small 1/4 of 1 % PUC tax and it is already included in our rates.
There is although a very small 1/4 of 1 % PUC tax and it is already included in our rates.
When do my charges start and end?
Normally, your hourly (or mileage charges on longer trips) start at the time the bus is ordered and end when the bus is released from service.
Can I bring food and refreshments on the bus?
Yes, we welcome you to bring water, soft drinks and snacks in the bus for longer trips.
We do ask that no alcoholic beverages be consumed on board buses without special arrangement.
As the chartering party, we may impose a cleaning fee and downtime charges upwards of $250.00 for excessive soiling of bus interiors.
We do ask that no alcoholic beverages be consumed on board buses without special arrangement.
As the chartering party, we may impose a cleaning fee and downtime charges upwards of $250.00 for excessive soiling of bus interiors.
What is deadhead?
Our equipment points in San Bruno and Palo Alto allow for free travel to your location to pick up your group generally 20 miles from our yard.
Deadhead charges may be added for pick up locations in cities east and north of Berkeley, South and West of Los Gatos and San Jose, North of Marin City, and east of Castro Valley.
Deadheading fees may be waived for assignments lasting more than 8 hours.
Deadhead charges may be added for pick up locations in cities east and north of Berkeley, South and West of Los Gatos and San Jose, North of Marin City, and east of Castro Valley.
Deadheading fees may be waived for assignments lasting more than 8 hours.
Do I pay by the mile or the hour?
In general, our hourly charges allow for 100 miles vehicle use in the first four hours from the pick up point and 20 miles each additional billable hour.
One way flat rated transfers rates already figure in the appropriate travel miles.
One way flat rated transfers rates already figure in the appropriate travel miles.
Can I charge my services to my credit card?
For corporate and business accounts...we accept Visa, Mastercard and American Express as well as PO's. We also can bill local bay area business accounts on Net 30 and Net 45 terms.
For retail and private party orders we may ask for pre-payment by check before services. Ask your charter manager for details. If credit cards are accepted for private orders, a $75.00 cancellation fee may be charged for file cancellations received after the confirmation is signed.
For retail and private party orders we may ask for pre-payment by check before services. Ask your charter manager for details. If credit cards are accepted for private orders, a $75.00 cancellation fee may be charged for file cancellations received after the confirmation is signed.
How do I compute my charges from your price sheet?
As a rough estimate, you can compute the hours to be used and add 8% for fuel surcharge.
In addition you may add the local industry customary driver service charge of $5.00 per hour up to 10% of the total charges.
In addition you may add the local industry customary driver service charge of $5.00 per hour up to 10% of the total charges.
Can I split my four hour minimum charge into 2 - 2 hour services?
Sorry, no.
Most roundtrip charter services are billed either at a four hour minimum with additional 1/4 hours thereafter, or 2 one way transfer rates.
In the case of two one way transfers that occur far apart, say 8:00 am and 5:00 pm, your charter manager will explain which way is more cost effective for your service.
Most roundtrip charter services are billed either at a four hour minimum with additional 1/4 hours thereafter, or 2 one way transfer rates.
In the case of two one way transfers that occur far apart, say 8:00 am and 5:00 pm, your charter manager will explain which way is more cost effective for your service.
How much time is allowed to complete a one way transfer?
Normally 60-90 minutes from the pick up time depending on the distance.
Do the buses have seat belts?
Current California law only requires seat belts on yellow school buses and in seats next to the driver on charter buses. There is discussion with california lawmakers to mandate seatbelts in the future on charter buses.
Our 11 seat club wagons have seat belts on all seats.
Our 11 seat club wagons have seat belts on all seats.
What about child seats and children riding in their parents laps?
Our 11 seat club wagons can accommodate child seats and booster seats although we do not provide them. Larger buses do not have seat belts in the cabin area and child seats are not encouraged due to the lack of restraints for them.
Children under the age of 1 may ride in a charter bus in their parents lap without a child seat.
Lap children will be asked to ride on their parent's laps in the center cabin seats.
At no time may lap riding children cause the total number of passengers to exceed the number of seats available.
Children under the age of 1 may ride in a charter bus in their parents lap without a child seat.
Lap children will be asked to ride on their parent's laps in the center cabin seats.
At no time may lap riding children cause the total number of passengers to exceed the number of seats available.
Can the buses handle standees?
With the exception as outlined in the prior question, in regards to lap children, the California Highway Patrol mandates that charter buses may not carry more passengers than 1 adult or child per seating cushion in each vehicle. Each charter bus is rated and registered with the Public Utility Commission for a maximum passenger capacity. Standees are not allowed on charter buses as they would violate the above, most likely overload the vehicles weight capacity, and do not have vertical and horizontal grab rails. Your safety is important to us.
Questions with no answers
- What if I need to cancel some or all of my services after confirmation?
- Were planning on purchasing wine on our tour. Is that OK?
- What about smoking?
- Can I use a PO from our company?
- How do I know what will cost less...two one way transfers or a hourly charter?
- Are we responsible for traffic delays?
- We would like to go on a trip overnight. How is that charged?
- Can you provide a tour guide for our charter?