The Don’ts of Bus Travel! Tips on how to be a better bus traveller

If you're planning a trip on an intercity coach bus, it's essential to be prepared. A coach bus journey can either be fantastic or a disaster, depending on the company's rules and how well they're enforced. That's why at Kasper Transportation, we're committed to providing the best possible service for our passengers. From start to finish, we strive to make your journey as smooth and enjoyable as possible.

1. Do not show up late!

Being on time is crucial when traveling on an intercity coach bus. Don't show up late because the bus schedules are tight and the driver won't wait for you. This not only holds up other passengers, but it can also disrupt their plans for connecting buses, flights, or trains. To make it easier for you, we've created tools to help you stay on track. Unfortunately, buses can be unpredictable due to factors like road work, construction, traffic, weather conditions, and more. While we do our best to plan around these challenges, sometimes they're simply unavoidable. If you don't want to wait around for the bus when it's running late, make use of our website or app. We have a custom-developed ETA (estimated time of arrival) live GPS-based checker, which gives you the most up-to-date and accurate arrival time at your pickup point or destination. Our buses send GPS data to our servers, and we use this information to calculate the bus's location and distance to your pickup point. This way, you'll know exactly when to expect the bus and won't be left waiting.

2. Know your Baggage Allowance!

When traveling with large or cumbersome items, the bus is a great choice. Buses allow for more weight per passenger compared to airplanes, making them ideal for outdoor enthusiasts like skiers, campers, golfers, bikers, and fishermen. However, there are some things to keep in mind when taking extra luggage on a bus trip. Most bus companies have a weight limit of 50 pounds, so you may need to help the driver load your heavier bags. While extra bags will cost more, it is still cheaper than airlines. Bus travel also reduces the risk of lost luggage, as there is no complex baggage system involved. To keep your food from spoiling and potentially harming other passengers' luggage, make sure to pack it properly in coolers or insulated containers. At Kasper Transportation, our goal is to make bus travel as smooth and comfortable as possible. Our buses are equipped with temperature-controlled baggage compartments, and our full-size coaches have temperature control under the belly to ensure the safety of your items. For added peace of mind, consider using a tracking device like Air Tag. This can help you find your luggage in case it goes missing. Also, take pictures of your valuable items and keep a list of what you're bringing. If anything is lost, you'll have evidence of what you had and its value. Investing in travel insurance, such as Blue Cross, or making sure your credit card provides travel protection is also a smart choice. This can come in handy in the case of cancellations or the worst-case scenario if your belongings are stolen. One added benefit of travel insurance when you're traveling outside of your home province is medical insurance coverage. Most forget that you are not covered outside of your home province!

3. Be mindful of Others!

When you're traveling on the bus, it's important to be mindful of those around you. Keep your phone on silent mode and speak in a low voice. Avoid playing music or videos that may be distracting to others. It's also a good idea to bring headphones with you to enhance your own enjoyment of the journey. Try not to take up too much space on the bus by putting your feet on the seats or spreading out your belongings. If you're traveling with children, make sure to bring along activities or toys to keep them occupied and well-behaved. It's important to be a responsible parent and take care of your kids without causing disruption to other passengers. This applies to all forms of public transportation and is considered good parenting.

4. No smoking and no smelly passengers!

Smoking, including marijuana, burning cultural scents, or herbs, is not allowed on intercity coach buses. This is not only for the health of those around you but also for the comfort of passengers who do not want to be disturbed by the smell. If you do smoke at the allowed designated spots at the bus stops on the route, the lingering odor is offensive and can result in the termination of your journey by bus staff. This can leave you stranded at a bus stop until you can resolve the issue and could result in you having to spend the night at your own cost until the next bus arrives. To avoid these unpleasant situations, it's best to avoid smoking altogether, especially on the bus. If you do smoke at a bus stop, be mindful of the after smell and try to avoid giving off a strong odor that could disturb other passengers. Doing so can ensure a smooth and pleasant journey for all.

5. Proper personal hygiene and dress code!

When it comes to taking the Kasper intercity coach buses, it's important to maintain good personal hygiene. Embarrassingly need to mention, this means washing your hands regularly, especially after using the bathroom, using deodorant, and avoiding foods with strong odors. Taking a shower is not a lot to ask for. Additionally, it's important to dress comfortably but appropriately, avoiding clothing that is too revealing or offensive. Having passengers who are unkempt, ungroomed, and emit unpleasant odors is not only a terrible experience for other passengers, but it's also strictly prohibited on our buses. To ensure a safe and comfortable trip for all, it's imperative that passengers dress in clean, well-maintained clothing. If someone looks like they're like haven’t showered or changed their clothes, it can create an uncomfortable atmosphere for everyone. Lastly, be mindful of what you eat and drink before boarding the bus. Farting or emitting strong odors due to what you've eaten is unpleasant for other passengers, and can ruin the experience for everyone. So, be responsible and mindful of your food choices. We expect our passengers to be adults and take the necessary steps to ensure a pleasant and comfortable trip for all.

6. Respect the Driver and his Authority!

It's very important to be considerate and respectful towards the bus drivers and crew. They're there to make sure you have a safe and enjoyable trip and they deserve to be treated well. It's not okay to damage the bus by writing on the seats, windows or messing with emergency exits. This not only shows a lack of respect for the vehicle, but it can also be dangerous for everyone on the bus. To make sure everyone has a great trip, it's important to be respectful to the drivers and crew, and take care of the bus. You should be aware that being disrespectful or abusive to the drivers and crew is not only inappropriate, but it can also have serious consequences. If you're caught being mean or harassing the staff, your trip could be terminated and the police could be called. It's important to be polite and courteous at all times, and show respect to the authority of the bus drivers and crew. By being kind and respectful to the staff, you'll not only ensure a great trip for yourself, but you'll also help create a positive atmosphere for everyone on the bus.

7. Dress for the weather!

When traveling on a bus, it's important to dress appropriately for the weather conditions. Emergencies can happen, and in the case of a bus breakdown, help may not be immediately available. It could take several hours, or even up to 6 hours, for a replacement bus to arrive. That's why it's critical to be prepared and dress accordingly for any weather extremes. In a worst-case scenario, wearing the right clothing can be a matter of survival. Keep in mind that even new buses and heating systems can fail, so always err on the side of caution. Don't take the risk of freezing to death because you didn't dress responsibly for travel in cold weather. By dressing appropriately, you'll be better prepared for any unexpected circumstances and have a more comfortable and safe trip.

8. No Contraband or Dangerous good Transportation!

Illegal activities, such as the transportation of drugs or hazardous items, are strictly forbidden on our intercity coach buses. We take these violations seriously and are constantly working to develop tools and strategies to prevent such activity from happening. Our close collaboration with law enforcement has helped us to deter and prevent illegal activity on our buses, and we will continue to do so. Trying to smuggle drugs or dangerous items on our buses is a serious risk, and we have the technology, training, and resources to catch those who engage in such activities. We want to stress that engaging in illegal activities on our buses is not worth the risk. The penalties for being caught are severe, and the consequences can be life-altering. Additionally, we reserve the right to search your bags at any time when traveling on our buses, so don't take the chance. We want everyone to have a safe and enjoyable trip, and we will do everything in our power to ensure that this is the case.

In conclusion, when you're traveling on an intercity coach bus, be on time, bring only what you need, be considerate of others, keep yourself clean, dress appropriately, respect the drivers and staff, and avoid anything illegal or disruptive. With these things in mind, you'll have a smooth and enjoyable journey!