Deluxe Motorcoach Brand: Motor Coach Industries

Deluxe motor coaches come in various makes and models similar to your car. Different manufacturers have different levels of features and amenities.  At The BusBank, we work with operators that have the various makes and models of buses available for charter.

One of the main manufacturers of deluxe motor coaches is Motor coach Industries (MCI).  Our operator network is filled with each of these types of motor coaches.  The sizes for these models vary from 45 passengers to 61 passenger buses. They each have the standard features such as TV/DVD, PA systems, high back reclining seats and restrooms.  Slight differences in styling are the major difference in deluxe motorcoach models.  Today, we will be discussing MCI and its models of charter buses.

A Winnipeg charter bus repair shop owner named Harry Zoltok formed the company under the name Fort Garry Motor Body and Paint Works Limited in 1933.  They were the first company to create a 40-foot coach and created the U.S. all-time best selling coach the MC-9.  MCI has its corporate headquarters in Schaumburg, IL along with plants and service centers across the United States and Canada. MCI parts are easily and readily available with the ability to reach the service centers throughout North America.

Please visit our website if you  interested in charter bus rental. We will be continuing to talk about the other makes and models of charter buses in upcoming posts.

Photo: Courtesy of American Bus Association

Shedd Aquarium Community Discount Days

Throughout the summer, Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium’s Community Discount Days! With free general admission for all guests, it is definitely the place to take your group if you are visiting Chicago. The many exotic fish and marine life make it a must see, and with extended hours this week only, you have even more time to enjoy the aquatic life. With many different exhibits displaying marine life from around the world, you are sure to be amazed by the many hidden species of the deep.

A few of the different things you can see at the Shedd include:

• See a green sea turtle in the Shedd’s  award winning 90,000-gallon 360-degree circular underwater reef habitat.
• In the Jellies exhibit, learn about the delicate, deadly and 95% water creature that is the jellyfish.
• Say hello to the Shedd’s newest beluga whale calf, Nunavik!

All other ticket packages for their special exhibits and 3-D shows are at exclusive discounted prices this week, so there really is no better time to visit the aquarium than now!

Grab your group and head over on a bus charter to enjoy what this has to offer.  To get a quote or learn about Charter bus options, reach out to us today!

BusBank – 4th of July Fun – The BEST Places to Celebrate

Running around your driveway with a sparkler in hand used to be fun… when you were a kid. Now you’re grown up and those backyard 4th of July fireworks have lost just a bit of their appeal. Let’s face it, you’re ready for something bigger, better, and more mind-blowing!

If you’re ready to take your Independence Day celebrations to the next level, then you’ll definitely want to check out one of these top destinations for 4th of July fun:

• Washington, D.C. There’s the Smithsonian Folklife Festival (artists, performers, craftspeople, and music) to start the week off. Then there’s the National Independence Day Parade (floats, balloons, marching bands, and military processionals) to up the ante. Next, there’s A Capitol Fourth concert on the lawn of the Capitol (including music by the National Symphony Orchestra). And finally, there’s the nation’s largest fireworks display (just above the Washington Monument). What’s not to love?

• San Diego, California. The three-week San Diego County Fair and the sunny Mission and Pacific beaches will keep you entertained during daylight hours. Come evening, there’s a dazzling beach-side pyrotechnics show and the captivating Big Bay Fireworks display!

• Chicago, Illinois. Chi-town has some of the most elaborate fireworks displays in the country. Plus, the revelries start off days in advance and include concerts, ballgames, and street festivals. Be sure to head to Navy Pier for food, drinks, and the best fireworks-viewing spots.

• Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. As the birthplace of our nation, Philadelphia definitely knows how to celebrate Independence Day. Week-long festivities (parades, free concerts, and fireworks) lead up to the holiday. And as a bonus, there’s plenty of patriotic sites to visit, including the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall!

Skip the stress of trying to fly or carpool to your destination. The BusBank’s Charter Bus Rentals are the most cost-efficient and comfortable way to travel. Contact an account executive today to plan a customized holiday travel intinery!

Universal Studios Great for a charter bus

There is no better way to enjoy the warm weather this summer than to take an air conditioned charter bus to visit an amusement park and with the amazing rides and great ticket packages Universal Studios Hollywood has to offer, you really can’t go wrong with a Charter bus in Hollywood.  If that is not enough incentive, here are a few other reasons why Universal Studios is a must-see:

• There are loads of exciting rides, like the new King Kong 360-3D, an intense sensory experience that brings 3D to a whole new level. It will definitely get your heart beating and your pulse racing!
• On the Studio bus Tour, you can go behind the scenes to see the real sets from some of Hollywood’s biggest blockbusters, including the back lot in the world’s largest working movie studio.
• At the Special Effects Stage, you can see all the ins and outs of how they create those awesome special effects in your favorite movies.
• The CityWalk is the perfect place for date night or family fun. With tons of upscale restaurants, comedy clubs, movie theaters, and concert halls, there’s always something going on.

With so much to do, you’ll never want to leave! A bus charter allows you to travel early in the morning and leave in the evening. Universal offers many different ticket options on their website, with everything from simple day passes to full packages that include hotel rooms close to the park with charter bus parking with so many great deals and exciting attractions, Universal Studios Hollywood is definitely the place to take your family and friends this summer on a bus!

If you are interested in a charter bus rental for this trip, Get a Quote now.

Putting Green or Conference Room?

Photo by Salvatore Vuono

Not all business meetings need to take place in the conference room. Summer is here, and you can get some work done while still enjoying the sun. There are plenty of other places you can get that business deal done, and even have some fun with it, too!

One of the most ideal places for business groups is the golf course.  Whether you need to impress a future client in on business travel, or just want to spend the day building relationships with your office, the putting green is the perfect place to make that connection.  The golf course is great for larger groups, too!

A perfect way to surprise your employees is to set up an afternoon at the golf course.  The whole office can be transported over via charter bus giving them time to mingle and chat.  A regular 18-hole golf course can accommodate up to 144 people if they are broken into foursomes (36 groups total), with two groups per hole.  If you have non-golfers in the group or people that need to leave course early, the charter bus would be available to transport back to office.

Business is all about relationships and getting people together is a perfect way to enhance those relationships.  You should consider the golf course to take your group so you can get even your most important work done while still enjoying the summer weather.

Top Spot for Dinning while on Business Travel in Chicago

Chicago is a top city for business travel and business meetings.  A large portion of these meetings take place outside of the office and it is often best for the groups to take a charter bus in Chicago to the venue.  Today, we are going to spotlight one of the top restaurants for business events

Market Bar Chicago is a multi-faceted restaurant and sports bar that is perfect for groups of all sizes.  Whether you have a small lunch meeting for five or need an event space for three hundred people, market has both private and semi-private spaces available.  The beer garden can be enclosed or open depending on weather making it perfect all year round. The menu is a mix of upscale American foods that everyone can enjoy.  They also have a mini bus that can be used for small groups.

Larger groups can be assisted by The BusBank as we have a variety of bus options whether a trolley, mini coach, deluxe motorcoach.  The hassle of finding parking, needing directions, etc. makes charter bus rental one of the easiest ways to handle a corporate dinner.  Both The BusBank and Market Bar is can handle your group in comfort and style.

Check out The BusBank and Market Bar on Facebook and Twitter for Upcoming News and Specials.

Additionally, be on the lookout for more about places and events across the US.

Rotary 2011

It was hot and muggy this May as Rotary International held its annual convention, but that didn’t stop The BusBank and Chicago-based DMC On The Scene from providing the convention transportation. And it was no small feat, with over 115,000 to provide transportation for over the entire week.

Moving over 35 charter buses and 19,000 attendees at a time can be quite hectic. Large event transportation like the Rotary International’s convention takes months of planning to ensure that the event transportation runs smoothly.

The biggest challenge was another large convention occurring in the same facility using many of the same hotels as Rotary International.  This could have caused a lot of confusion between the groups if not for the extensive pre-planning done. The staging and signage used by The BusBank ensured that everyone was in the right place at the right time.

The BusBank cooperated with the city, police, and other groups in New Orleans to overcome many traffic and staging problems. New Orleans presents many transportation issues due to the limitations of where vehicles can travel. We created a transit system plan around these restrictions that got everyone where they needed to be, and has been highly praised by the Rotary attendees.

If you have questions about event logistics or convention transportation, please don’t hesitate to e-mail us at sales@busbank.com.