Los Angeles School Bus Rental Pricing Guide

The iconic yellow school bus has been around for over 100 years and remains one of the most reliable vehicles on the road.School bus rentals are an extremely popular charter bus rental option in Los Angeles and have been used for a variety of trips, ranging from K-12 field trips, to weddings, and sports team transportation.

Ideal for transporting larger groups of people of shorter distances, school bus rentals accommodate up to 47 passengers at a time with ease. But exactly how much should a school bus rental cost you? We’re glad you asked! This guide will break down factors impacting the school bus rental prices in Los Angeles, as well as equip you with tips and tricks to save money.

Factors impacting school bus rental prices

When looking to book a charter bus rental in Los Angeles, it is important to consider all potential factors that will ultimately impact pricing. Whether it means taking into account the time of year, or finding ways to optimize your itinerary, there are a number of factors that go into school bus rental prices in Los Angeles.

Time of year

Time of year, especially as it relates to school bus rentals, can have an impact on school bus rental prices. Peak season for school bus rentals is usually in the Fall or Spring, when schools are organizing K-12 field trips and learning activities, increasing the demand for school bus rentals. As a result, school bus rental prices tend to increase as local availability decreases.

Indeed, if your trip falls during peak season, it is recommended to book your school bus rental ahead of the time, ideally nine months before your departure date. This ensures you receive the best school bus rental price and gives you significant time to secure funding for the school bus rental.

Distance travelled and fuel prices

Of course, distance travelled and fuel prices are additional factors that impact school bus rental prices. School bus rentals are typically used to transport larger groups of people over shorter distances, providing a safe and reliable ride between point A and B. As such, they should not be used for trips over three hours.

Naturally, the bigger the bus, the more fuel it will consume. Although, minor fluctuations in fuel prices will not have a significant impact on your school bus rental price. In fact, you’ll only notice a change if there is a large spike or a significant decrease in fuel prices, as gas prices tend to fluctuate constantly throughout the year.

Before confirming your school bus rental, be sure to have a clear understanding of where you’ll be heading, including distance travelled. Streamlining your itinerary will ultimately offer significant cost-savings.

Bus Type

The type of bus you rent is yet another factor that will go into determining the overall cost of your charter bus rental. School bus rentals were designed to keep costs low, all-while offering passengers a safe and reliable ride wherever they may be heading. School bus rentals generally do not come outfitted with a range of modern amenities, ensuring costs remain streamlined.

School bus rentals are nonetheless a comfortable method of transportation, featuring spacious and cushioned seats as well as ample legroom. Extra seating at the front or back of the bus can even be repurposed as additional storage space for all your personal belongings. Keep in mind the type of trip you are planning before confirming the school bus rental. Typically, this charter bus rental is used for trips under three hours, accommodating up to 47 passengers at a time.

If, for example, your group requires a more luxurious charter bus rental and is travelling over longer distances, look no further than our coach bus rentals. From the school bus and the coach bus to the minibus, and mini-coach bus, we have you covered with a versatile fleet of charter bus rentals.

Driver’s On-Duty Time

Did you know that the driver’s on-duty time has the most significant impact on the overall cost of your school bus rental? This includes both the “drive time” and the “on-duty time”.

Here are country-specific regulations for a driver’s on-duty time in Canada and the United States:

Country-specific regulations for driving in Canada
These regulations have been established and enforced by the Motor Coach Canada Association.

• A driver can drive a maximum of 13 hours per day.
• On-duty time must not exceed 14 hours per day.
• Off-duty time must reach a minimum of 10 hours in a 24-hour period.

Country-specific regulations for driving in the United States
These regulations have been established and enforced by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

• A driver can drive a maximum of 10 hours per day.
• On-duty time must not exceed 15 hours per day.
• Off-duty time must reach a minimum of eight consecutive hours.

Ways to save money on a Los Angeles school bus rental

Whether you’re commuting or taking a trip to Los Angeles, transportation doesn’t have to be expensive. . Here are a few tips on how to save money when booking a school bus rental in Los Angeles! From streamlining your itinerary to getting an accurate headcount, there are a number of easy ways to save a few extra bucks!

Travel during off-season

Planning your trip or commuting shuttles during off-season is a great way to save money on your Los Angeles school bus rental. The good news is that off-season for school bus rentals tends to fall in the warm summer months of July and August, making it a great time to use a school bus for a shuttle service or as a charter bus option.. Booking your school bus rental as early as possible during off-season will help you avoid price surging as local availability will be high. Keep in mind that demand for school bus rentals is at its peak during Fall and Spring!

Fill the bus

On average, school bus rentals can comfortably accommodate up to 47 passengers at time. It is recommended to make the most of this increased capacity and fill up your Los Angeles school bus rental as much as possible. The first step to filling up your school bus rental is to get an accurate headcount, essentially confirming there will be no empty seats. By filling up the school bus rental to capacity, you are reducing the average cost per person, keeping costs streamlined. This is especially important if you will be using a school bus as an employee or event shuttle. If you are travelling with a smaller group, you can always rent a sprinter van, minibus, or even a mini coach bus.

Limit stops

Streamlining your itinerary as much as possible is among the best ways to save money on your school bus rental. After all, the fewer stops, the better. Multiple stops can quickly drive up the overall cost of your school bus rental as the driver is paid for both drive time and on-duty time.

As such, we recommend to cut down on any unnecessary stops and streamline your itinerary to avoid increased costs. While school bus rentals tend to be used for one-way trips over shorter distances, this nonetheless applies to all charter bus rentals. Our award-winning booking specialists have the expertise in route analytics and can also help you plan the perfect itinerary.

School Bus Rental Types

There are three types of school bus rentals available in Los Angeles, including the Thomas School Bus, the International RE300, and the Bluebird Vision. Each charter bus rental comes with its own unique set of amenities and advantages. Keep reading to learn more about these school bus rentals!

Thomas School Bus

Did you know that about one in three students in North America who ride the bus to school take a Thomas School Bus? The Thomas School Bus is among the most commonly rented school bus rentals in North America and is made by the largest manufacturer of heavy-duty vehicles, Daimler Trucks. This school bus rental can comfortably accommodate up to 52 passengers at a time, making it a convenient option for employee or conference shuttles, K-12 field trips, for sports teams, and even for weddings.

International RE300

The International RE300 is yet another reliable school bus rental, perfect for getting larger groups of people from point A to B safely and in a cost-effective manner. In fact, this school bus rental has one of the most extended production lives in all of North America. Featuring spacious seats and ample leg room, you can’t go wrong with the International RE300 school bus rental.

Bluebird Vision

Since Bluebird School Bus was founded in 1927, it has sold over 550,000 school buses. Today, approximately 180,000 are still on the roads! The Bluebird Vision school bus rental comfortably transports up to 46 passengers at a time and comes equipped with a number of safety features, including automated electronic stability systems for those harsher weather conditions. This school bus rental is particularly ideal for K-12 field trips and student groups, providing a safe, affordable, and reliable ride.