Charters
Think of us first for your bus charters in the San Francisco Bay area and custom group travel tours throughout California. Our services include full service bus charters for group travel in and around the region, meet and greet services and customized tours for groups of any size. Our uniformed drivers are among the safest, most customer oriented professionals in the industry.
Charter Pricing
Charter pricing is impacted by the number of vehicles available for service, and will vary by date and even time of day based on overall demand. Just remember, flexibility is sometimes one of the best ways to save money on your booking.
Even adjusting an itinerary by an hour could mean significant savings!
Types of Trips
One Way: Your group will be picked up at your designated location and taken directly to your destination. Our service ends at your destination and the bus is returned to the garage. (There are no stops en route to the destination.)
Round Trip: Your group will be picked up at your designated location and taken to the destination point. The bus stays with you for the duration of the trip and then returns you home when the trip is complete. (This is the most common type of charter service and in most cases the most cost effective.)
Two One Ways: Your group will be picked up at your designated location and taken to the destination. The bus will leave and return at a later time and/or date that you designate to pick you up and bring you home. (The group does not have use of the bus at the destination. This option is more cost effective only on local trips with that simply require drop off and pick up service, and the group does not require access to the coach.
Federal DOT Regulations
The United States Department of Transportation (DOT) imposes strict regulations on the operation of commercial vehicles, including motocoaches. When planning your itinerary, please be mindful of the following limitations and rules of operation:
Drivers are allowed a maximum of ten (10) hours of consecutive driving and a maximum of fifteen (15) hours of consecutive duty per twenty-four (24) hour period. At the end of each work day, our driver is required to have at least 8 hours of off-duty time.
Remember: a fully rested driver is a safer driver.
On multi-day trips, the group must provide the driver with a single occupancy hotel room with bus parking each night away.
* Each trip is unique and may require other special arrangements(i.e. relief drivers, etc.) Upon review of your itinerary, we will inform you of any special arrangements that may be required.
State of California P.U.C. and C.H.P. Regulations
In addition to the Federal government's (DOT) regulations governing both our driver's qualifications and the hours of service, California has the nation's most stringent regulations covering the transportation of students within the state. Known as S.P.A.B. (for School Pupil Activity Bus), these regulations require higher standards of care taken in both the qualifications and training of our drivers, as well as the increases emphasis on the inspection, care and maintenance of our vehicles.
Drivers must clear a criminal background check by the Department of Justice. Prior to testing by the C.H.P., the driver must complete a minimum of 20 hours of behind the wheel training AND 15 hours of classroom instruction, all under the guidance of a state certified instructor. Following the issuance of the license, the driver must undergo at least 10 hours of annual in service training. Certificate renewal and re-testing occurs every 5 years (or at license renewal).
These high standards assure our customers of being transported by some of the country's most highly trained and screened driving professionals. While school related trips require special drivers and maintenance standards, these standards are incorporated into every part of our "Safety First" philosophy on EVERY trip.
Our Vehicles
Motorcoaches:Our motorcoaches provide clean and comfortable seating for group sizes from 36-47 and 55-57 passengers and are available with the following amenities:
- Spacious storage compartments
- Climate control with A/C
- Lavatories
- Reclining seats and armrests
- Public address systems
- Video Systems (VHS and/or DVD)
- AM/FM Stereo with Cassette Deck or CD Player
- Footrests
- Tinted windows
- Wheelchair accessibility (upon request)
Mini Coaches: For smaller transportation needs, we provide 21 and 24 passenger mini coaches, available with:
- Reclining seats
- Climate control with A/C
- Wheelchair accessibility
- Radio dispatch
Double Decker Motorcoaches: Ideal for sightseeing excursions, evening convention shuttle movements and other fun events (due to the height restrictionson these coaches, routing is limited to the San Francisco downtown and waterfront locations).
Features include:
- Late model Alexander Dennis English Double Decker buses
- Enclosed upper level
- Climate control with A/C
- Large windows - spectacular visibility
- 89 passenger capacity
Trolleys: Available for sightseeing or charters, our trolleys can enhance any occasion. Perfect for weddings or parties.
- Seats up to 35 passengers
- AM/FM Stereo with Cassette Deck
- Wooden benches
- Open air, nostalgic look
- Public address system
- Professional uniformed driver
TIP: Being flexible when selecting amenities may save you money.
Contact Us
Please contact us today for a customized quote to meet the needs of your group.
You may fill out our online charter request form, or we can be reached at (800) 826-0202 x2 (within the United States), via fax at (415) 642-1500 or via e-mail at info@sanfranciscosightseeing.com
We look forward to being of service on your visit.