Why Charter Buses Are Quickly Replacing Transit And Flight As The Go-To Traveling Option
What are the benefits of bus travel? It might be a shorter list to talk about what aren’t, as local bus services provide a plethora of financial and environmentally-aware options for people of all shapes and sizes around the country. To charter a bus is to give yourself the freedom to focus on your studies rather than finding the next gas station or a safe and secure option if you’re unused to traveling great distances. Perhaps you want extra time to spend with your kids instead of listening to them getting more and more bored in the back seat during more conventional vacations. Even the environment has a lot to thank for bus charters, as they reduce the rampant strain many cars and trucks put into the air and surrounding landscape. From the history of bus travel in the United States to its countless benefits for everyday people, let’s figure out what makes local bus services such a convenient tool.
History Of Travel
Let’s start off with the history of travel and how it’s changed throughout the decades. Horse drawn buses were the first prototype of the charter buses we know today, carrying people back and forth all the way since the early 1800’s. Routine intercity bus services through steam power were later pioneered in England in the mid 1800’s, quickly replacing carriages as the go-to option for general and lengthy travel methods. Without these early and simple prototypes, the travel we take for granted today might not be around.
American Motorcoach Industry
The motorcoach industry is a thriving one and is unlikely to take a backseat to alternative forms of travel any time soon, including planes and rail systems. The U.S. passenger bus travel increased by over 7% from 2011 to 2012, making it the fastest growing form of travel by a significant margin according to the American Bus Association. It’s estimated motorcoaches account for a stunning seven million passenger trips taken every single year, with the majority of passengers including the elderly, students and families.
Environmental Benefits
Chartered bus companies do their part not just helping out everyday people get where they need to go, but support the environment by drastically reducing carbon emissions and lowering the need for traditional fossil fuel. Motorcoaches, for example, provide an average of 206 passenger miles per gallon of fuel whereas a single-occupant automobile only achieve 27 per gallon. Motorcoaches, overall, are three times more efficient at reducing CO2 output than the commuter rail and six times more efficient than even transit buses. A single full motorcoach can remove up to 50 automobiles from the road, creating an option that is easy on the environment as well as your wallet.
Bolstering Local Communities
Last, but certainly not least, are the effects local bus services have on the nearby community at large. The motorcoach industry is composed of nearly 3,500 small businesses that work in areas including, but not limited to, charter, tour, airport shuttle, scheduled services and sightseeing. Even a single dollar invested in a new motorcoach will generate an additional dollar and a half of spending throughout the economy, adding up to $1 million spent on tour and travel alone. If you’ve ever considered how you can support local businesses, chartering a bus is an efficient and affordable means of doing so.
Using Local Bus Services
In the end, small charter buses assist everybody in a wide variety of ways. If you’re interested in doing your part to reduce strain on the environment or want to find a more affordable way of traveling during your vacation months, motorcoach companies are more than prepared to meet your needs. From students who need time to study on their way back home to families who want a fun and reliable method of moving across the country, the ease of bus travel is suited to people of all stripes. Next time you’re planning a vacation or move to a new apartment, consider utilizing the skillset of your local bus services. The environment, your finances and local community will thank you for it.