Shipping a bus over a long distance can be a big responsibility, which is why hiring an expert will ensure secure and protected transportation. Also, knowing the bus shipping service will help you have a hassle-free experience. In this article, you will get an overview of bus shipping.
Understanding the Bus Shipping Service
Moving a bus by carrying it on the open trailer from one location to another is a bus shipping service. This is one of the many services that auto transportation companies provide. Whether you want to ship a school bus, traveling bus, minibus or minivan, luxury bus, or mobile utility\ vanity bus, this shipping service will transport any bus without any hitch.
Types of Bus Shipping Methods
There are two types of methods by which a bus can be transported: Door to door transport and terminal to terminal transport. Both methods are totally different from each other, so understanding both will help you make a better decision for transportation. Here is the breakdown mentioned below.
1. Door to Door Transport
In this method, your bus will be picked up directly from your preferred location and delivered to your provided address. Door to Door Auto Transport is the most convenient auto shipping method. The cost of this service is higher compared to terminal to terminal transport, but its convenience makes it cost-effective.
2. Terminal to Terminal Transport
Customers need to send the bus to the designated terminal, and then your bus will be transported to another terminal located nearest to your provided address. Once the bus reaches the terminal, the customer will be informed by the transport company to pick up the bus and finalize the shipment. This method is cheaper than door to door transport.
How Much Does It Cost to Ship a Bus?
Shipping a bus involves various factors and considerations, such as shipping distance, bus size and weight, bus condition, and shipping type. Understanding these factors will provide you with a better understanding of your bus shipping budget, and in some scenarios, it can help you reduce the cost.Â
1. Distance
The major part of your shipping cost depends on the length of the routes it needs to cover by a truck to deliver the bus. The longer the distance between pickup and delivery locations, the costlier the transportation gets.
2. Bus Size and Weight
Shipping a larger bus will require more area in the shipping trailer, and heavier means more load capacity. This will cost you more compared to shipping a minibus.
3. Bus Condition
Shipping a non-funtional bus may cost you more because to move it requires additional equipment and handling that cost extra. Non-functional buses are those buses that are not movable on their own power; this could be a mechanical problem or some sort of damage.
4. Shipping Type
Shipping with door to door transport is convenient yet costlier, and shipping with terminal to terminal transport is cheaper but comes with the hassle of visiting the terminal.
5. Seasonal Cost
The demand for auto transportation is at its peak during the summer and holiday season, and because of fewer carrier availability, transportation gets costlier. If you want to save money, consider bus shipping in off-peak season.
7. Fuel price
If the fuel price is high, then it will affect the running cost of the shipping truck. The transport company will increase the shipping cost of the bus in these scenarios.
How to Choose the Best Bus Shipping Company?
Transporting your bus requires you to be careful when selecting an auto shipping company. That way, you’ll be able to take a well-informed decision and opt for the best auto transport company suitable for your requirements. Some tips are mentioned here to help you find one.
1. Check Valid Licensing and Legitimacy
Before you narrow down a shipping company, make sure that it is licensed and legitimate. Look for credentials and registrations for carrying a Motor Carrier (MC) number. That would be an assurance that the shipping company adheres to the industries’ or the shipping company’s requirements.
2. Available Services Evaluation
Their shipping services may differ; you should consider your needs, whether open car transport, door-to-door, or express delivery. The company should provide what is in your needs.
3. Look Through Customer Reviews and Ratings
This involves perusing online reviews and ratings from customers, which can provide valuable insights into the company’s reliability, professionalism, and customer satisfaction.
4. Evaluate Customer Support
Good customer service can play a significant role in a smooth shipping process. Make sure you check the company for further clarification and assess how they respond to your question.
5. Pay Attention to Shipping Guidelines and Policy
Look at the policies of the shipping company and do a final study on their policies before making a decision. Understand their payment policy, insurance coverage, pickup and delivery timelines, etc. This will remind you so you won’t be alarmed about anything, and you can feel at ease with their processes.
