Rental of a Mini bus: What You Need To Consider Before Hiring One 

Here are some tips to consider before you decide to hire a minibus...

If you're planning an out-of-town trip, or attending a business conference or wedding with friends and family, a mini bus rental can be a very good choice.  Mini buses offer a host of advantages over renting  a standard sedan, or riding a taxi. By choosing  mini buses, you will be able to enjoy comfortable seating arrangements, and spend your time watching the TV, or listening top your favorite music on-board. Below are a number of factors to weigh in before deciding to rent a mini bus.

Plan Ahead, And chart Your Itinerary
One of the first items to consider when choosing to rent a minibus, is to ensure that you plan your trip in advance, and chart your travel itinerary earlier  too. By planning in advance, you will have better chances of finding the right service providers, as well as have more opportunities for availing any discounts, or to the money-saving promotions from the rental firm. 

Contact Each Rental Firm And Ask For Quotes
The next step in choosing the right minibus rental service, is by calling each of the companies listed in the phone book or the Internet, and ask each of them to give you a quote. You also need to know the daily rates or deposits required, as well as the available make or model of the minibus.  Don't forget to  ask each company how much security deposit is required, or who will pay for the bus driver's accommodations, as well as the toll fees and parking charges. 

Evaluate The Minibus' Amenities
Once you've created your shortlist of minibus service providers, the next step would be to personally evaluate the bus' amenities.  Check the vehicle's air conditioning system, television, DVD or music player, on-board rest rooms and the private sleeping areas. And although most minibuses come fully-equipped, just make sure you check out these amenities yourself.  And depending on the model or make, a minibus can comfortably accommodate anywhere from six or seven,  up to thirty passengers. Before signing the rental contract, ask the company representative to show you pictures of the different mini buses available, so you can choose the one you prefer. 

Check The Rental Firm's Safety Record
And because safety should be a major concern, make sure you ask the rental company for proof of insurance,  driver's safety records, and maintenance records of the mini buses.  Find out the company’s refund or cancellation policies,and ask if you could get your deposit back if you cancel the deal. And once you're done with comparing rates and service records,  eliminate the rental firms that are either too expensive, or don't provide any of the amenities you specify.  From this narrowed-down list, choose  the rental firm that best suits your requirements, and discuss the rental contract with the company manager or representative. 

And before bringing the bus out of the garage, make sure you check if there's anything amiss (scratches, paint scrapes, missing parts), so that you won't be penalized  once you return it back to them. And before you return the bus, make sure you fully clean it, so that the rental firm won't be padding any cleaning  or late-return charges and other penalties.