Travel Planners: Look Before You Book

Include Safety in Planning Your Next Bus Trip

Overall, buses are a very safe travel option. However, bus operators are not all alike when it comes to safety. Most operators take safety seriously, but a few companies are willing to take risks with passenger safety. Just a few minutes of bus safety research can save big headaches (or worse) for your travelers.

Four Steps to Safety

1. Research bus companies online to make sure the company you choose is authorized to operate and review company safety records.
2. Talk to the operator to plan the trip. Ask if the driver(s) on the trip have a valid commercial driver’s license.  For longer trips, ask if your group needs a second driver; a single driver cannot drive more than 10 hours without an 8-hour break.
3. Ask whether the operator provides pre-trip safety information to passengers.
4. Help travelers stay safe. Share onboard safety information with tour leaders and passengers. Encourage passengers to always wear seatbelts onboard, if available.