Shuttle Bus vs. Charter Bus: What’s the Difference?

“Shuttle bus” is a term that gets bandied around a lot, and seems to be the generic statement for transporting groups of people from one place to another.

However, there is a big difference between a shuttle service and a charter bus. Both have their advantages, depending on your needs and why you are looking to use such services in the first place.

The Shuttle Bus

Quite simply, the shuttle bus service is designed to transport groups of up to 16 people for short distances.

This could be from the airport to the office, or from the office to a corporate event that is a short distance away. It is a more economical choice in terms of fees and parking.

The Charter Bus

The charter bus is a much better option for larger groups travelling long distances. Charter buses are typically considered for corporate events such as wine tours or school trips.

Whenever you need to ensure the safe travel of a large group of people to a venue that requires a long travel time or has multiple stops, the charter bus is the way to go.

Comfort and Class

Most modern shuttle bus services will have comfortable seats, but not much more in terms of amenities.

As the purpose is to travel short distances, there is no need for extras such as TVs, Wi-Fi, or even washroom facilities. Still, your guests will be comfortable in their seats while they are on the move.

Charter buses, however, will have some amenities. With basic comforts on board, they are designed to make the longer distances feel bearable. For example, some charter buses will have washroom facilities.

Not to be confused with services such as Greyhound buses, charter buses are a luxury form of long-distance travel. They are reserved for high-priority employees, guests, and other important people that you need to be able to transport in style and safely.

Employee Satisfaction

For many people, just trying to get to work can increase stress levels before the day even starts.

If you have a large number of staff who choose to take public transportation due to the cost of parking, gas, and general wear and tear of a vehicle, then offering a shuttle service to pick them up from the train station and take them the rest of the way will be a welcome perk.

This will help relieve some of the day’s stress, making getting to work more enjoyable.

When corporate events are posted, knowing that the company goes the extra mile in providing a charter service to allow staff to attend will also attract more people, and subsequently make the event more successful.

This satisfaction will result in lower staff turnover and boosted morale, which increases productivity in the workplace.

Scheduling Made Easy

Shuttle services usually run on a tight schedule. If you contract out this service, then you can set the schedule so that everyone is picked up on time, and arrives at their end destination on time as well.

A charter bus service will also accommodate your schedule, particularly if you are using it for a corporate event or a special occasion.

Having the service arrive at your pick-up location and leave on time to get to the event can be a logistical headache. Thus, consider working with a chauffeur service that understands the importance of such events, and therefore delivers a high service to meet your expectations.

Stay on Budget

Transportation costs can quickly spiral out of control, and before you know it, your finance team is calling about how to find the money to cover all these extra expenses. People who commute to work often opt for public transportation as they find it cheaper and easier than trying to afford the costs associated with driving. However, this can still result in a bit of a hike to the office if you are not located close to any public transit stops. Having a contracted shuttle service on your side will keep the budget under control. Even if you charge a small monthly fee from employees to use this service, you can still keep everything in line. Charter bus services are also affordable as they offer an easy solution to move lots of people all at the same time while avoiding the thousands of fuel receipts for reimbursement and parking issues later on.

Contact the Transportation Professionals

For over thirty years, Bauer’s Intelligent Transportation has been catering to corporate clients, providing them with safe and secure transportation. From shuttle services to charter buses, we can serve your employees and clients quickly and safely.

Over six million customers have worked with Bauer’s Intelligent Transportation and enjoyed our professional, friendly service that comes with a high-end chauffeur company. Our luxury buses and shuttles are equipped with the latest technology to provide the safest and smoothest rides.

Our drivers are fully trained, licensed, and insured and work diligently to keep to your schedule while being able to navigate around accidents, construction, and other traffic issues.

With a fleet of varying vehicles, we can work with you to find the right solution for your travel needs, as we specialize in both corporate transportation for regular commutes and events.

Our dedicated team members can help you plan and remain on budget, all while navigating the potential logistical headache that can come with using shuttles and charter buses.

You can call us at 415-233-8545 or visit us online to check out our fleet of vehicles and services and get your quote today.