Re: NEED ADVICE on Shuttle Buses!

I went to a wedding this weekend with the same situation. There was one bus that went back and fourth several times throughout the night. We waited about 20-25 minutes for the bus to pick us up after we didn't fit on the first one. It wasn't a big deal and no one complained.

I would go with the single 40 person bus.

Re: NEED ADVICE on Shuttle Buses!

UPDATE!!
SO I spoke with the manager at the Four Points (Ryan), and the BM at the Woodlands (Michele), and they both told me NOT to worry about people waiting. They both said that the end of the night is very easy b/c people leave at all different times (and we'll have the shuttles running for two hours). Going THERE can be tricky, but Michele said she would make arrangements in anticipation of guests arriving 15 min. early. So that i can start shuttling ppl early enough to get everyone there by 6pm. PHEW!!!!

I decided to go with three 14-passengers b/c they move quicker, fill up and unload quicker too.

I feel better...and whoever said it was right....this is a NICE perk I'm providing so if people complain they are waiting then they can go s#$%! (sorry to be vulgar

Re: NEED ADVICE on Shuttle Buses!

Hey, ladies. I just wanted to jump in because this is something I struggled with too. I had 80 OOT guests stay at the Hilton Garden Inn in Plainview, and they had to be transported back and forth from the Venetian Yacht Club. The ride Mapquested at about 24 minutes. However, I was in a total panic, BECAUSE::

Every time I drove around Long Island making my arrangements for the wedding, there was ALWAYS some traffic situation or another. 109 or 110 would be closed due to an accident, or I don't even know, but I CAN:T tell you how many times this happened. I was in a PANIC about the shuttles making one trip, and then having to go back and getting stuck in traffic, and people missing the ceremony. I really stressed it.

In order to buy myself some peace of mind, I got two buses. I didn't even want to think about round trips- remember, if it's 24 minutes TO the venetian, then it's 48 minutes once the bus leaves until it comes back. THEN, God forbid you have traffic, forget about it.

I called every bus company in creation, and got prices all over the place. I got a quote for a 56 passenger bus for as low as $700. Of course, they wouldn't tell me what year the bus was, or if they had any sort of contingency plan if the bus broke down. I had a company quote me one price, then I called back twice and they gave me two completely different (and higher) prices. Some of these people were TOTALLY shady.

My advice- there's a site called busrates.com. YOu can put out a request for multiple companies to get back to you with quotes. It was a great help to me, and I got replies left and right.

TIP: When getting your quote, make sure they include tax and tip.

I would up going with Custom Coach and Limousine. I was concerned because they are in NJ, but this is NO issue. They were early at the hotel, and early at the venetian. The only thing is, if they take more than one trip, it's extra money. So it's not like you get the bus for the whole night to do with as you please. Am I an idiot fr not knowing that in the beginning?

Anyway, I dealt with Tina there, and she was really great. And she negotiated as well, FYI.

I wound up with a 56 passenger bus and a 28 passenger bus. Both were new and in perfect condition. The TOTAL cost was $1680, everything included. I know it sounds like a lot, but with so many people coming from FAR OOT, I wanted them to be able to enjoy themselves as much as possible. So I did away with favors, because I figured, getting them back and forth WAS the favor, and everyone was so happy with it.

If you need anything further, please let me know. I know this may sound like a lot of $$, but the peace of mind knowing that I would get good quality buses, that they have a 24 hour dispatch that would send out buses FROM LOCAL BUS COMPANIES in the case of some kind of breakdown, and everyone getting there at the same time, it was a good purchase. I was even able to make CD's to put on the buses, which, of course, I forgot to give them. Another big consideration was a bathroom on the bus. I don't know about you, but being on a bus after drinking for 5 hours, you need a ladies room.

Okay! Best of luck to you! Their number was 866-952-8737. Hope it works out!!

Re: NEED ADVICE on Shuttle Buses!

we are getting a shuttle bus for the after party.. fist does your hotel not provide this? Ours didnt so we ended getting the bus... Call Carizma limos for the bus, they are the cheapest I found

Re: NEED ADVICE on Shuttle Buses!

Okay, i was at a wedding in Virginia this past summer and I can tell you, it's not a big deal to have your guests waiting for 15 minutes. We actually waited close to 45 minutes and still didn't mind. They had 2 buses for about 70 OOT guests and the winery was about a 45 minute after waiting! We just appreciated the free transportation and being able to drink and not worry!

Re: NEED ADVICE on Shuttle Buses!

I was an OOT guest for a wedding where they had a small bus make several trips. When we got to the hotel to check in we had to sign up for which bus we wanted to go in the 1st bus which left the hotel an hour before the ceremony started or the 2nd bus. And then had to sign up for a bus coming home the 1st bus left 30 mins before the wedding ended. So that could be an option so then people would know they had to wait for the bus to come back and after the reception they wouldn't be waiting around for too long.

Re: NEED ADVICE on Shuttle Buses!

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Posted by Hoda2010

I was an OOT guest for a wedding where they had a small bus make several trips. When we got to the hotel to check in we had to sign up for which bus we wanted to go in the 1st bus which left the hotel an hour before the ceremony started or the 2nd bus. And then had to sign up for a bus coming home the 1st bus left 30 mins before the wedding ended. So that could be an option so then people would know they had to wait for the bus to come back and after the reception they wouldn't be waiting around for too long.

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this is a good idea. where there any problems that you know of?

Re: NEED ADVICE on Shuttle Buses!

Re: NEED ADVICE on Shuttle Buses!

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Posted by GinaZ

well if you haven't blocked the rooms yet, you could have them stay at the executive inn on jericho turnpike. They have a free shuttle to and from the weddings. i used them for my wedding and it worked out great.

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Do they also offer transportation to and from the airports? How do they go about shuttling people? How big is the shuttle and how many trips did it take? We will probably shuttle 75+ guests.

Thanks!