When hiring a mode of transportation anywhere in the world, there are a few things you probably consider before settling on a service. Even when ordering an UBER, maybe you pray to God that the driver isn’t some weirdo or that his car doesn’t smell like stale McDonalds.
The bar is set even higher when you need a car for a business meeting or you need to hire a charter bus in Atlanta for planning a corporate event. Before taking the leap with any old transportation service you found online, consider these 5 factors first:
- Reliability
- Professionalism
- Insurance Policy
- Customer Services
- Fleet Options
Reliability
When hiring a car, bus, limo, or whatever form of transportation you are in need of, chances are you need to get from point A to point B. Not just get there, but arrive by a certain time on a specific day. Maybe you are about to catch a flight to your sister’s bachelorette party or if you have a business meeting across town.
No matter what your reason for transport is, you should always look for a service with good reliability according to past customers. Will they show up to the agreed upon pick-up spot at the agreed upon time? Depending on your situation, punctuality could be of the essence. Find a service that prides itself on being on time and whose customers can vouch for that.
Professionalism
Nobody wants to be driven around by a driver who has ketchup stains all over his dirty white t-shirt or who swears like a sailor while driving you around. Your driver (and everyone involved with the service) should be a professional and exhibit this during the entirety of your riding experience. Most transportation companies only hire drivers with clean driving records and no criminal background, but look into this beforehand.
Insurance Policy
What is the insurance policy on the vehicle and what is the driver’s coverage like? This is something you should definitely ask if you are riding in a large charter bus or shuttle van with lots of people and a good amount of luggage. What happens if everyone gets off the bus to make a pitstop, and the luggage chamber is robbed? Are your belongings covered by the company? A situation like this is unlikely to happen, but it is good to know about coverage in the event that something does take place.
Customer Services
You’ll get a good idea of the overall quality of customer service when you chat on the phone about prices, pick up times and services provided. Is the representative friendly and helpful? Not only this, but what additional services are offered by the company? Ask about things like water bottles onboard, forms of entertainment provided (like DVD players or TVs on the bus), and bathroom options for long road trips.
Fleet Options
You should have a say on whether you want to ride in style or you’re going for a more budget-friendly ride. Ask about the fleet options available and see which one caters to your budget, party size, and trip itinerary.