Your Top 10 Bus Rental Questions Answered

Planning transportation for a group can be overwhelming but with First Charter, it doesn’t have to be. We specialize in safe, reliable, and affordable school bus rentals for events of all kinds. Whether you’re organizing a wedding, a field trip, a marathon race, or a corporate event, we’re our chartered buses are here to help make travel simple. Below, we’ve answered the most common questions we hear about bus rentals so you can book with confidence.

1. What events can I rent a bus for?

2. Where does First Charter offer school bus rentals?

First Charter operates across hundreds of locations in 41 U.S. states and 8 Canadian provinces, making it easy to rent a bus near you. From New York City and Chicago to Los Angeles and Toronto, our extensive network ensures that you get local service with the backing of a trusted national provider. Whether you’re in a major city or a small town, we likely have charter bus rentals nearby. Visit our Locations page to see where we operate and find bus rental options in your area.

3. What types of buses can I rent?

We specialize in school bus rentals, which are an affordable and dependable transportation solution to traditional chartered coach buses. Our fleet includes a range of school buses suitable for different group sizes and trip types – whether you’re looking to rent a bus for a party, need a chartered school bus for a field trip, or want to organize a multi-vehicle wedding or large event shuttle bus service. Most common rental vehicle types:

• Full-size school bus
• Minibus
• Transit bus
• Passenger

While we don’t offer luxury coaches or motorcoaches, our bus rental options are ideal for short to mid-range travel, large event shuttles, and can be tailored to your event needs. Our buses are maintained to the highest safety standards and operated by licensed, experienced drivers.

4. Can I bring food and drinks on the bus?

Yes, in most cases passengers are welcome to bring food and drinks aboard most of our charter buses. Talk with our Charter Customer Support team about this during the booking process.

5. How much does it cost to rent a school bus?

The cost to rent a school bus depends on several factors, including your location, the distance of your trip, the number of buses needed, and the duration of service. Our pricing is competitive and budget-friendly compared to other bus rental companies, especially for shorter distances or hourly rentals. To get accurate pricing for your event, fill out our quick quote form or give us a call. We’ll give you a transparent estimate for your bus rental with no hidden fees.

6. How many people fit on a school bus?

A standard, Type C large conventional school bus can seat up to 44-48 adults or 72 children, depending on the bus model. If you’re renting a charter bus for a large event, we’ll help you determine how many vehicles you need to keep your group together and on schedule. Learn more about our vehicle rental types today.

7. What happens if I need to cancel or make changes to my reservation?

We understand that plans can change. If you need to adjust your bus rental reservation, contact our team as soon as possible. We’ll review your options and help you reschedule or cancel. We can make any changes needed prior to the 5-day window of your event. Any changes made within 5 days may incur an additional fee to do so.

8. What if something unexpected happens on event day, like my event runs late?

If your event runs behind schedule, we understand delays can happen. That’s why we suggest padding your reservation time to allow for unexpected overruns. Whether you’re renting a bus for a wedding, a school trip, or a shuttle event, our team is available to help coordinate updates to minimize disruptions.

9. Are all the school bus vehicles I can rent yellow?

While the classic yellow school bus is what most people associate with our fleet, some locations may have white activity buses that can be utilized for smaller events such as team sports or field trips. Let us know at the time of your booking what your fleet needs are and we’ll work with you on a transportation solution.

10. Do you offer A/C, seat belts or wheelchair accessibility with your vehicles?

Yes, we do. Many of our school bus rentals, but not all, include air conditioning, seat belts and ADA-compliant wheelchair lifts. Availability varies by region, so please let us know your specific needs during the booking process. We’re committed to making your charter bus rental safe and comfortable for all passengers.

Have more questions about renting a school bus? Visit our Frequently Asked Questions page or reach out to our team today to receive a free, no obligation quote.