“It cut our time in half. We used to call around to several limo or bus companies for quotes, and now we just put the info in, the prices come right to us, and it’s done that day. I don’t even need to worry about following up.” 

– Tracey Goldstein, owner of Polka Dot Events

1. The Basics

Whether everyone will be coming from the same office or various locations, be sure to set clear pickup spots and times and communicate that to all passengers. In addition to keeping passengers in the loop, having one point person within each group who will help to bridge any communication gaps between driver and passengers. The buses are big, but they still need to find you and let you know they’re there!

2. Deciding on Vehicle Size and Shuttle Options

What is the style of the event, and what will the guests be expecting? Do you want everyone traveling together in one large coach bus? Is part of the evening the ride itself? Is a nostalgic vibe part of the theme…yellow school bus, anyone? Knowing what style of vehicle you need and how many passengers you’d like to move in each vehicle at a time are key factors to have in mind before looking for options and pricing. If you want some suggestions, we’re here to help.

3. Getting Quotes

The part of the event that feels like an afterthought can easily become an event all in itself. Calling operator after operator only to get wildly different quotes is an outdated system. And good luck actually getting a response back. Don’t start twiddling your thumbs yet – they’ll get sore. With Buster, we already did that legwork for you. Just answer a few questions about your trip, and we’ll show you prices and vehicle options instantly. All of the operators have already been vetted by our team, so you can rest assured that you are in good hands. And gratuity is already included, so no need to carry a wad of cash that won’t fit in your purse/suit.

4. Communication

Do you want the driver to meet at a certain corner? Do you need ample time to set up gift bags on the seats prior to passengers boarding? Do you want the vehicle shuttles to stagger their departure times? The more clear the requests are before the day of the trip, the more likely it will be a smooth ride. We’ll also let you know your driver’s name and phone number for any last minute details.

A little prep work goes a long way, and these steps are sure to cut your transportation booking time in half. Time better spent actually enjoying your event!

What’s your favorite vehicle?

Everyone loves the big (or little) yellow bus! Whether it’s the nostalgia factor or (more likely) the economical price tag, almost 30% of your trips are taken on the cheese wagon. Middle school flashbacks and nightmares? Mini buses and coach buses were not far behind.

When’s your favorite time to ride?

September! Labor Day is a hit. Getting married in September or big family reunion coming up? Let’s get that trip booked. September is popular not only for being prime wedding season, but also weekend getaways, company retreats, and fundraisers galore.

Other popular days coming up? May 27th and June 10th. People getting hitched.

So how soon should you book?

Today! We always recommend booking as soon as possible, and we make it as easy as we can to make that happen. We won’t charge your credit card until 7 days before your trip, and you can cancel or edit before then with no penalty. The only thing you can’t change? Your passenger count – we need to know what size vehicle to roll up in.

So seriously, what does it all actually mean? You’re split between booking outside of 30 days and within 7 days. Not so hot on the days in between.

This is only the simplified part of a bigger story. It all varies by vehicle – booking a coach bus or a fancy limousine? You should probably book that early. Nearly half of all those bookings occur outside of 30 days. Booking a sprinter van or a big yellow bus? Those are booked closer to your event. But seriously, just book it now anyway.

What’s the point?

The point is we’ve got what you need. Not sure what you need? We can help you figure that out too. Planning for a group (or a wedding, or a conference, or a retreat) doesn’t have to be stressful – or at least the transportation part doesn’t. We have the tools (and nerdy factoids and charts) to help.

See you on the other side of the chat box.

We’re more than “Reservations”

People in the transportation industry always talk about “Customer Service,” and by that, it’s really just everyone claiming to have the best customer service. If you’ve ever been in charge of renting the birthday limo, bachelorette party sprinter, or wedding shuttle, that may have been LOL-inducing.

“Bus people” speak like bus people. Even when talking to you (I meant “to,” not “with”). We spent years demystifying the bus chatter so that we can translate on your behalf and provide an actual “Customer Experience.” We’re not just taking reservations, we’re helping with the whole journey.

Enter the Proactive Customer Experience

We think we’ve reached the perfect balance of communication – we’re not going to annoy you (we hope), but we’ll make sure you’re reassured that your bus, van, or limo is going to be there and your event will go off without a hitch. We triple confirm details with your operator (seriously, 3 times), including the day-of to make sure everything is still running on-time and there are no surprises. From your perspective, you’ll get all of your details again 5 days before your trip so you have a second to review and rethink anything you may have missed the first time around. The day of your trip, you’ll get a text to confirm everything is running as planned and (again) make sure you have all the contact info you need. Honestly, we started doing this because it made our lives easier. You get the added benefit of more reliable bus service at no extra cost.

We call it the “Buster 5 Point Proactive Customer Experience.” The process is there, our naming originality is falling a bit behind.

Winter in New York City is brutal – soot-encrusted snow, skyscraper wind tunnels in Midtown, shoes soaked through with slush. Get back in touch with how beautiful winter can be on a trip to upstate New York. A few hours north of the city, snow is gentle, silent, and white, and strong wind is something you watch from inside, next to a wood-burning fireplace.

Find an AirBnB or HomeAway rental (like this grand farmhouse or this chalet), take a crisp, short winter hike, and then seriously consider spending the evening with your friends relaxing over some hot cider or mulled wine. Book a sprinter van there and back, and forget logistics for a few days.

2.  Take a nice hot mudbath – on a spa weekend

The NYC area is littered with spa resorts tucked into bucolic settings, designed to serve harried city slickers. Perhaps the most well-known and luxurious among them, Mohonk Mountain House offers sprawling grounds with elegant rooms, plentiful spa services, daily meals and snacks included for all guests, and, if you’re feeling inspired, activities like ice skating, snow tubing, and snowshoeing.

If you’re looking for something a bit more laid-back, try the Buttermilk Falls Inn, where you can bond over group spa treatments. Try hydrotherapy at the Roosevelt Baths and Spa, or focus on alternative wellness at the Cooperhood Retreat and & Spa. Book a limo to get out there – you deserve this.

3.  Go historic-house-hopping in the Hudson Valley

The Hudson Valley is full of history, including dozens of grand old estates now open to the public. Curate a weekend of historic sightseeing, and offer your friends a chance to be transported to another time. Pick your favorite styles and stories from a long list of homes, and spend a few days house-hopping. When you’re done admiring and touring, retire in the evenings to your own grand residence at the Castle Hotel & Spa in Tarrytown. You’ll feel like a titan of industry in another era – just make sure you book your chauffeur as well. An executive coach seems appropriately grand.

4.  Enjoy peaceful Montauk in the off-season

Craving sun and sea in the middle of dark and windy winter days? Visit the super-luxurious Gurney’s Montauk Resort & Seawater Spa in the off-season. You might even find you prefer their huge, heated saltwater indoor pool to the open ocean. Enjoy the peace of their seawater baths, their saunas and steam rooms, and spa services, and the drama of the winter water views – without the summer crowds around. Forget high-season travel woes on the way there and back – on a Sprinter van with comfy seats and big windows.

5.  Atlantic City… the opposite of natural beauty

All this too mellow for you? Sometimes you just have to throw relaxing in the trash and go to a casino resort. Visit the Borgata Hotel in Atlantic City and treat yourself to more luxury than you can actually absorb in a weekend. They have five pools, five restaurants, and 85 poker tables, so you can dive in, wear sequins and say things like, “luck be a lady!” – if you’re into that. And if you’re not interested in table stakes, move on to the Borgata’s nightclub mur.mur, or post up at one of their twelve bars. Obviously take a party bus out there to set the tone.

Here’s your guide to five of the most road-trip-worthy festivals to book now:

Boston Calling – Boston, MA (May 27-29)
Get tickets on the Boston Calling site and book a mini bus for 20 people
With around a five hour drive from NYC, the trip up North is just long enough to get in the festival mood. Boston Calling has been around since 2013, attracting close to over 20,000 concert-goers a year. Situated in Downtown Boston, you can easily get some sightseeing in too (we hear the shopping is great). Headliners this year include Sia, Disclosure and Odeza. Bring your dancing shoes.

Electric Daisy Carnival – Citi Field, Queens, NY (May 14-15)
Get tickets on the EDC site and book an SUV stretch limo
The EDC series makes it way to NYC in May. EDC has a reputation as one of the most elaborate electronic festivals during the year. The first production was nearly 10 years ago, and they’ve gotten more dazzling every year. If you are a fan of electronic music, crazy light displays, and a cast of eclectic actors interacting with the crowd, grab your friends and head to this one. Don’t be shy with your outfit choice.

Firefly Music Festival – Dover, DE (June 16-19)
Get tickets on the Firefly site and book a cheap, fancy Sprinter van
Featuring an impressive array of artists from Mumford & Sons to Deadmau5, this is a great festival for those who have an appreciation for a variety of genres of music. Known as one of the larger venues, Firefly sits on 105-acres of space, enough to set up camp and walk around comfortably among the crowds.

Governor’s Ball – Randall’s Island, NY (June 3-5)
Get tickets on the Gov Ball site and book a stretch limo, obviously
For those that want to get away from NY, without really getting away from NY, this is the trip for you. Randall’s Island is conveniently located right off of Manhattan. The lineups have been more impressive over the years, competing with festival giants like Coachella and Lollapalooza. (Because in NYC, we know how to do it.) Headliners this year include Kanye West, the Strokes, and the Killers. With all the recent buzz around some of the artists, particular Kanye, you won’t want to miss it.

Camp Bisco – Scranton, PA (July 14-16)
Get tickets on the Camp Bisco site and book a comfy van for you and your gear
Like the outdoors, and and love live music? Welcome to your paradise. Originally based in upstate NY, this year Camp Bisco’s organizers decided on a move to Montage Mountain outside of Scranton. Founded by artists The Disco Biscuits, this festival doesn’t just put on a show. They contribute to various charities through ticket sales. So you can have a good time while doing a good thing. Nice.

Go ahead, grab your friends, book your ride with Buster, and get your road trip on.