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Signs a Small Fleet Should Invest in a Shuttle Bus
Business owners shouldn’t have to disappoint their customers. Lack of adequate seating can put a real damper on who a business is able to cater to. Not having the right equipment can lead to discontent thus making it less possible that customers will come back. It’s a good habit to survey your small fleet every so often to get an idea of what may be missing. In this post, we’ll explore some reasons a business may look into before deciding to purchase a shuttle bus.
Saying No To Customers
Have passengers getting left behind or do you have to say no to some routes because you don’t have enough seating? No matter the industry, it’s important that you can say yes to new opportunities to grow your business. Having a larger vehicle can help prepare for those times when a customer needs to seat twenty instead of five. Saying no once may mean you’ll never hear from that customer again, so it’s a good idea to be prepared.
Not ADA Compatible
Making sure all customers have access to transportation no matter the industry is important. Older or smaller vehicles may not have the best wheelchair ramps or lifts, if they have them at all. It’s always critical to make sure you are catering to the customers that may need transportation with the most updated accessibility. Stock shuttle buses are often equipped with wheelchair lifts saving the owner from having to make expensive modifications later.
Unreliable Service
You may have been in business for a while, thus meaning your current vehicles have as well. This could mean your small passenger van isn’t running as smoothly as it did when you bought it causing unreliable service and failed runs. One shortfall can lead to a gain if the new investment is a great fit for the current or future plans of a business.
Have Multiple Smaller Vehicles
Many fleets start off with one or two smaller vehicles, then add more of the same as their passenger requirements grow. While this plan will work for a brief time, think about the benefits that could come from having one vehicle instead of three. With the consolidation to one vehicle a fleet could free up parking space, reduce the number of drivers, and improve fuel costs. You may also be able to keep one or two vehicles from your existing convoy, and add a shuttle to bulk up your transportation capabilities.
If you’ve decided to get rid of a few older vehicles there are some options you could consider. Think about trading in your old unit to put toward the purchase of your new bus. If the vehicle isn’t a good trade, think about donating it to charity and reaping the benefits of a tax return. By no means should you feel compelled to keep all of your existing fleet.
Plans To Expand
Know you’ll need to seat double the amount of people one year from now? Want to have a vehicle that matches your future plans? Go ahead and start looking for the perfect shuttle bus to meet your needs. You may find that customization takes longer than thought or that your bus isn’t available as soon as you need it. Such big purchases should be carefully thought over with all major decision makers on the business. This will also help you gauge your finances better and ensure you’re not rushed into making a decision.
No matter the situation it’s worth it to at least consider the purchase of a shuttle bus. If a business can sustain the vehicle, it can add great value to customers and owners alike.
