Do not use US Coachways
 

To all fellow teams: Please do not use US Coachways for any busing needs. They are a broker company that tries to pull buses from other businesses. They'll take your order, tell you they have a bus, and then try to find you a bus at the quote that they gave you, but if they can not find a place that will take the quote they will wait until the day before your trip then cancel at the last minute because no one took the job. They simply schedule with another company and then take a cut. Team 56 is frantically working on finding a new bus for our trip today to St. Louis but chances are slim. We have heard from a multitude of other teams about bad experiences with this bus company. So please, don't book from them.

Thank you

Re: Do not use US Coachways
 

So sorry to hear of this team 56! Our team had the exact same thing happen to us last year on the Tuesday morning we departed for the Championship that sent us into a mad scramble.

We worked with our school district and got approval to drive out to St. Louis in rented 12 passenger vans with no more than 10 people in them. Your results may vary with your school district but in the end it was cheaper to drive with an overnight stay over using a bus.

Re: Do not use US Coachways
 

If I could suggest a company. Try Hagey Tours in Colmar PA.
They are complete professionals and very reasonable. 341 has used them for years. We are not affiliated with this company in any way, but have absolutely loved their service and flexibility. Availability might be tough with short notice, but give them a call.

Re: Do not use US Coachways
 

Team 56 - Your fellow MAR friends from 3974 are having the same issues with the same company. Unprofessional service, final prices thousands of dollars more than the original quote, and general frustration all week. (We were in the same boat as you, until we ponied up an extra $3k for them to miraculously "recover" a bus, now they are trying to refuse to arrive at the time quoted on the invoice.) I'm holding my breath until our bus arrives late tonight.

OZ - Your suggestion of Hagey is a fantastic one. I've ridden on Hagey buses at least a dozen times and I've had nothing but great experiences. (Our bus with US Coachways was reserved by someone else, or Hagey would have been my very first choice.)

See you in St. Louis... fingers crossed for all of us.

Re: Do not use US Coachways
 

Good News! We got a bus! We went with a company called Triple D and they are sending us a bus as we speak. We are so grateful to all of the teams who helped us! If we can help anyone else we are more than willing to do so. Thank you all so much!

Re: Do not use US Coachways
 

I agree 100% with the OP about US coachways. Their prices are low but watch out for last minute fees and cancellations.

You are much better off finding a local Bus charter company near your area.

Re: Do not use US Coachways
 

Glad to hear it!

Re: Do not use US Coachways
 

If you could pass along that company's contact information as a backup-backup-backup plan, it'd be most helpful. We are still waiting on our confirmation.

Good to hear that you were able to get help so quickly!

Re: Do not use US Coachways
 

We are required to use companies on the school systems approved list. While occasionally a hassell & less competitive price, they are vetted & will be dropped from the list if they don't keep their commitments

Re: Do not use US Coachways
 

U.S. Coachways is an awful company. We had a hellacious ordeal with them 2 years ago that has actually dissuaded us from bussing anywhere for the forseeable future(self-driven vans or flying).

Sorry to hear you guys fell hostage to their ridiculous business tactics. Good luck, I'm sure the FIRST community will do our best to help you out.

-Brando

Re: Do not use US Coachways
 

Glad to see that 56 found a bus quickly. 3974, any update on your situation?

Re: Do not use US Coachways
 

Looking good. Waiting on final-final-final "finally I can exhale after 6 days" confirmation. Thanks for the positive vibes!

Re: Do not use US Coachways
 

This company did the exact same thing to 384 last year. They ended up splitting the team up to get out to World's on other team's buses. They are a ridiculous group.

Re: Do not use US Coachways
 

In general, our team's experience has been that the cheapest bus is not the best value. The previous poster who suggested using a school district vendor, if one is available, is a good one. They have a reputation to protect.

Re: Do not use US Coachways
 

In Alabama it's against state law to transport school students in 12 passenger vans, rental companies ask if you are transporting students and will not rent to you. I think this is state law in several states, I didn't realize it until I started checking into it this year.