7 Tips When Shopping for a Shuttle Service
Giancarlo Perlas December 4, 2022
A sprinter van shuttle service could be exactly what you need to manage the transportation of people from one point to another. But finding the best shuttle service for your needs, for a good price, can be challenging.
How Shuttle Services Work
Whether you’re searching for a simple, sprinter van shuttle or something bigger and capable of carrying more passengers, most shuttle services work something like this.
You’ll sign a contract, you’ll choose a type of vehicle, and a team of professional drivers will drive those vehicles to “shuttle” passengers from one place to another. That could mean shuttling people from one building to another on your campus. It could mean shuttling people from a parking area to a more attractive destination. It could even mean shuttling employees to and from work.
Shuttle services provide benefits that include:
· Improve convenience. People who use a shuttle service as a passenger experience more convenience. They don’t have to worry about a personal vehicle, nor do they have to deal with public transportation. Instead, they have a reliable private shuttle service that can quickly get them to their target destination.
· Save time. Depending on how the shuttle services arranged, it may save time for everyone involved. Instead of walking 25 minutes to get to another location, your passengers may be able to use a shuttle service to get to their destination in 5 minutes or less. When you multiply these time savings by the number of people you shuttle, you could end up saving hundreds of hours of time collectively.
· Help the environment. In some cases, shuttle services are better for the environment. If people can rely on shuttles, rather than driving their own personal vehicles, you can cumulatively reduce carbon emissions and reliance on fossil fuels.
Tips When Shopping for a Shuttle Service
So what steps can you take to shop for a shuttle service more effectively?
1. Shop around. Don’t go with the first shuttle service you happen to find. Depending on where you live and what type of shuttle you need, there are probably many different services that could potentially serve you. Some of these services are going to be strictly better than others, and some contracts and offers are going to be subjectively more favorable to your organization or your event. The only way to reliably find the best fit is to shop around, explore many different options, and analyze those options in depth.
2. Understand contract options. There’s no such thing as a standard shuttle service contract; different shuttle service providers have different parameters for service, and there will probably be many contract options available. For example, you may be able to sign a contract for long-term service that renews annually, or you may want to sign a contract so the shuttle service is provided on a day-to-day basis. Many of these options aren’t strictly better or worse than the others, but you need to understand what these options are so you can choose an appropriate contract for your needs.
3. Prioritize flexibility. Most organizations and event planners benefit from prioritizing flexibility. If you’re not sure exactly what type of shuttle service you need, or if you’re feeling indecisive about your upcoming contract, choose a service provider and a contract that provides you the greatest number of options in the future. In other words, can you eliminate this contract and start a new one easily? Can you change the service you get if necessary?
4. Scrutinize drivers and hiring. It’s estimated that 42,915 people died in traffic accidents in the United States in 2021. While shuttles often operate in safer conditions than the open road, it’s still important to prioritize safety. When shopping for a shuttle service provider, scrutinize their drivers and hiring practices carefully. Are these shuttle drivers experienced and properly vetted? Do you trust them to shuttle your passengers safely and consistently?
5. Read reviews and testimonials. As with any major purchase, you should take the time to read real reviews and testimonials that can attest to the quality of the service. Have other organizations or individuals like you used this shuttle service? What do they think of it? Do they have any major complaints or grievances? Do they have tips for how to maximize value from this service?
6. Try the service in person (if you can). If you have the opportunity, try out the shuttle service in person. As a passenger, do you feel like the shuttle is clean, safe, and efficient? Are you satisfied with the skills and performance of the driver? Does anything seem “off?”
7. Gather feedback from passengers. Feedback is indispensable in helping you choose the best shuttle service. After you put your shuttle service in place, be sure to collect feedback from your passengers and guests – and review that feedback to see if there’s any room for improvement. You may find the need to switch your service provider – or you may feel better about your initial choice.
There are many different private shuttle services available, with an almost endless assortment of options available with each brand. This isn’t always an easy decision to make, but the better informed you are, and the more willing you are to do your due diligence, the better your final shuttle service is going to be.
