This is a "must-read" for anyone who wants to Book a Sightseeing Tour
The Travel Industry Council of Ontario or also known as TICO is the Ontario Government's Travel Industry regulator. All Tour Operators must be registered and licensed by TICO to sell Packaged Tours in Ontario. As of July 1, 2016, the Travel Industry Act has exempted Sightseeing Tour Operators who do local tours from registering with TICO. Sightseeing Tour Operators who own and operate their own Public Vehicles must be properly Licensed by the Ontario Highway Transport Board and must carry Bodily Injury Insurance Coverage based on how many seats the Public Vehicle accommodates. Those who operate in the US must hold a valid US DOT Operating Authority. Other conditions include that the individual Packaged Tour must include at least one admission to an attraction accommodation and/or meal.
Shopping for a Sightseeing Tour Operator can be a confusing and uncertain experience for consumers. Prices and services will vary from company to company, and healthy competition exists for your business.
Selecting a Sightseeing Tour Operator on the basis of price alone could lead to disappointment down the road. There are some unscrupulous operators who exploit a competitive advantage gained through non-compliance with the laws that regulate the travel industry and the charter bus industry.
While safety and compliance pays, it also “costs”. Responsible, legal, and reputable operators make considerable investments to recruit and train suitable drivers/guides, monitor driver condition and performance, inspect and maintain their vehicles (if owned) to prescribed standards, obtain required insurance coverage, comply with hours of service limits and etc. Unfortunately there are a few companies that don’t. These companies can operate, albeit for a limited time, by cutting corners and shaving operating expenses in areas of safety, maintenance, insurance, and evading other government regulations.
Below are some questions you should ask when shopping for a One Day Sightseeing Tour Operator.
Shopping for a Sightseeing Tour Operator can be a confusing and uncertain experience for consumers. Prices and services will vary from company to company, and healthy competition exists for your business.
Selecting a Sightseeing Tour Operator on the basis of price alone could lead to disappointment down the road. There are some unscrupulous operators who exploit a competitive advantage gained through non-compliance with the laws that regulate the travel industry and the charter bus industry.
While safety and compliance pays, it also “costs”. Responsible, legal, and reputable operators make considerable investments to recruit and train suitable drivers/guides, monitor driver condition and performance, inspect and maintain their vehicles (if owned) to prescribed standards, obtain required insurance coverage, comply with hours of service limits and etc. Unfortunately there are a few companies that don’t. These companies can operate, albeit for a limited time, by cutting corners and shaving operating expenses in areas of safety, maintenance, insurance, and evading other government regulations.
Below are some questions you should ask when shopping for a One Day Sightseeing Tour Operator.
- Trip Permits in Niagara Falls and Niagara-on-the-lake - Did you know that all Sightseeing Vehicles conducting Tours in Niagara Falls must purchase and display a Niagara Parks Trip permit? An honest Tour Operator usually stops at Table Rock or on Falls Avenue's Bus Management Kiosk and obtains the permit and displays it on their vehicle. One advantage of having the permit is the Sightseeing Vehicle can drop off very close to the Falls at Table Rock's bus drop off/pick up area and park their vehicle on Falls Avenue at the Bus Management's Kiosk or at Table Rock's bus drop off/pick up area. Niagara-on-the-lake requires all public vehicles to park at a central location and obtain a permit. If your Tour Operator does not drop off at Table Rock and/or Falls Avenue Bus Management's Kiosk or the designated location in Niagara-on-the-lake, you should stay away from them.
- Amenities - This would include, Wi-Fi, Power Outlets, USB Outlets, On-board DVD System, Microphone, A/C and etc.
- Providing a detailed itinerary - Does the Sightseeing Tour Operator explain their itinerary? Especially if you have expectations to do a Wine Tour & Tasting instead of just doing a Wine Tasting. Not all Sightseeing Tour Operators can include a Wine Tour & Tasting since Wine Tours can take as long as 1 hour to complete. Most reputable Sightseeing Tour Operators would have a detailed itinerary on their website. If the Sightseeing Tour Operator can't answer certain questions about attractions or itinerary, you should stay away from them.
- Price Disclosures - Does your individual Tour Package include attraction admissions, meals or accommodations? Does your Tour Package include Travel Insurance? Are Taxes extra? According to the Ontario Highway Transport Board all individual Tour Packages must include at least a attraction admission, accommodation and/or meal. Out of Town Passengers should look into having Travel Insurance when traveling abroad as most Sightseeing Tour Operator's Insurance only covers in an event of the Public Vehicle being involved in a collision. If your prospective Sightseeing Tour Operator can't disclose their price or what's included or charging admissions, meals and accommodations separately on top of their advertised price, you should stay away from them. We believe in charging upfront the fare and the required attractions, accommodations and/or meals to enjoy our Tours! We have accounts with major attractions in Thousand Islands, Ottawa, Montreal, New York City and Washington DC to book in advance!
- Company's Existence - Find out how long the Company has been in service for. Equinox Bus Lines has been in the Sightseeing Tour business since 2016!
- Company's References - Inquire on the current and past Clients that have used the Sightseeing Tour Operator's Services. If a Sightseeing Tour Operator is unwilling to provide references upon your request, it may not be wise to give them your business. For customer confidence in our Tour services, we have been reviewed on Trip Advisor!
- Ask about Fleet Size - Does the Company have more than one vehicle in their fleet? This would provide you peace of mind that should your vehicle breakdown, another vehicle can continue your trip. This would be the best opportunity to ask the Company if they have resources to provide a replacement vehicle if they can't provide one due to long distances and etc.
- Insurance - This is probably the most talked about subject in the Passenger Transportation Industry. Canadian Law requires that Public Vehicle Operators, who have Vehicles with 1-7 seats carry $1 Million in Bodily Injury Coverage, 8-12 seats carry $5 Million and 13 or more seats carry $8 Million in Bodily Injury Coverage. US Law requires US DOT Operators, who have vehicles with 15 seats or less to carry $1.5 Million USD in Bodily Injury Coverage and 16 seats or more to carry $5 Million USD in Bodily Injury Coverage. The mentioned Bodily Injury Coverage amounts are in addition to the $1 or $2 Million Liability Coverage for the driver. You should request the name of the Insurance Carrier and Policy number to verify that there is Bodily Injury Coverage on the Vehicle you are about to Charter/Book.
- Public Vehicle License and Operating Authority - This is another talked about subject in the Passenger Transportation Industry. PV Licenses are issued by the Ontario Highway Transport Board. The OHTB authorizes the service being offered. If your trip goes beyond Ontario, the Company must hold a Extra Provincial License which is issued by OHTB. Public Vehicle Licenses can verified by the contacting the Ontario Highway Transport Board. Carriers who have a valid US DOT Operating are authorized for Interstate Trips. For reference our Public Vehicle License is: PV 5892/X 4043. The "X" is for Extra Provincial License and our US DOT Operating Authority is 3084729.
- Maintenance - Does the Company have a Maintenance Program in place? Our Vehicles are maintained at third party garages that we work closely with ensure all maintenance is up-to-date. Our vehicles (including Passenger Van Service) goes through Federal Law mandated pre-trip inspection on a daily basis. Management would also perform maintenance checks on a every other day basis to locate and repair all defects found before our drivers find them.
- Annual and Semi-annual Inspection Stickers - Ontario Law requires buses with 10 seats or more to be inspected every six (6) Months by a qualified Mechanic. The current sticker colour is orange and the sticker would indicate the month and year of inspection.
- Driver Training - Ask if your driver has been properly trained. We don't just mean trained to drive on the road but trained on the bus or van they drive and trained in how to handle a on-board emergency. Ask if the Company evaluates their drivers on a on-going basis.
- Drug and Alcohol testing/screening - Ask if your Company has a Drug and Alcohol policy in place which includes random testing. It is our policy that all drivers must be Drug and Alcohol tested. Never Charter/Book a Company who cannot enforce a Drug and Alcohol free workplace. US DOT Operators are required to be registered under the FMCSA's Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse.
- On-road-emergencies - Ask if the Company has policies and procedures in place in an event of a breakdown or collision. Also, ask if your driver has access to a maintenance network when your trip is far and wide from origin. For peace of mind, some of our vehicles are equipped with emergency equipment to cope with minor breakdowns. We also have a contract with a Roadside Service Provider who has a network of roadside assistance vehicles and tow trucks to respond to breakdowns. If your trip is high profile, we even have a Crisis Management System in place to deal with the unexpected professionally
This is what you should expect from a Professional Sightseeing Tour Operator! Why not Book a Sightseeing Tour with us and experience the equinoxbus.com difference!
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Remember this: If other Tour Operators have not provided tips and education about their industry, why would you jeopardize your safety?
