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Bus rental/charter

FeatherFishFeatherFish member
First Comment
in Connecticut
Can anyone recommend a bus company with fair pricing to provide transportation for our guests?  We spoke with someone at First Student and they require a minimum of 3 hours, but will not allow us to split it between the outgoing trip and the return trip, which means a minimum of 6 hours for about 2 hours of actual driving time (including their commute from the bus depot to the hotel).  It's $71/hour which I find reasonable; paying $284 for nothing is unreasonable!
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Re: Bus rental/charter

  • cmac3504cmac3504
    500 Comments
    edited May 2012
    What size bus are you looking for? Do you need multiple trips?  I think it's pretty common to have to pay for the whole time and not just outgoing/ return trips.  At first, I agreed with you and thought it was crazy... but then I got to thinking about how I'd feel if I were the driver. I'm not going to drop everything to go to work for an hour then sit around (not getting paid) and wait until you're ready for your return trip. KWIM?

    We paid a little under $2K for all transportation.. but no "frills" (i.e. no limo or Rolls Royce).  We used New Britain Transportation for the 14-passenger shuttle for 3 hours (wedding party) and Dattco for the two 46 passenger buses for 6 hours (hotel to/from venue for guests).  I'd definitely recommend reaching out to them.
    Anniversary
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  • stefpet22stefpet22
    10 Comments
    I am using First Student out of Hamden. They are allowing my to and from trips to count and it is only $65 an hour. I would try the one in Hamden, if you haven't.
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  • amymaysaamymaysa
    1000 Comments Combo Breaker
    I received a quote from first studen (west hartford, I think ) and it was great. I asked if there was a contract/deposit, etc and I have heard NOTHING back. I have called and emailed.

    They are the best price so far, but I'm concerned that if their communication so far is this way, will it be bad day of?
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  • cdbishopcdbishop member
    Sixth Anniversary 500 Comments
    I used First Student for my wedding last week and were able to 'split up' the time, but had to pay for the trip for the commute to my location. But we didn't pay for hours during the wedding that it wasn't used.  My contact was Nancy in West Hartford, let me know if you want more info
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  • willin1310willin1310 member
    Fifth Anniversary 10 Comments
    edited May 2012
    @ amymaysa I had the same experience with First Student in West Hartford.  Definitely cheap, but I was uneasy with the fact that I called multiple times and still to this date have not received a contract in the mail. I ended up going with New Britain Transportation.  A little more expensive, but they were great about responding right away.
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  • FeatherFishFeatherFish member
    First Comment
    cdbishop & stefpet22, that is weird that the same company, different location would have different policies!  We talked to the one in New Fairfield because it is right between our hotel (Danbury) and our venue (Sherman) - and those are about 40 minutes from each other.  Maybe I will see if they have a corporate office that I can get in touch with and find out if they would be willing to do that. 

    I'll check with some of your other recommendations, ladies.  Thank you all!
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