Hospitality Buses
Always Drive Your Guests in First Class
Every bus or van you operate is an extension of your hospitality business. Reliability, consistency, and comfort can make a major difference in your guests’ experience. The Bus Center helps hotels, resorts, casinos, and other hospitality businesses choose the right transportation options, built around your needs and priced to fit your budget.
About This Guide
Hospitality Bus Buyer’s Guide
The Bus Center has supported the hospitality industry for close to 100 years. We know how important it is to choose the right floor plan, the right size, and the right level of maneuverability for your property. No matter how many times you make this purchase, it is always an important one. The Bus Center is here to help.
Think about every way your bus or van will be used to support your operation. Airport transfers, shuttles between venues, guest movement around your property, and corporate or VIP event transport all place different demands on a vehicle.
With these needs in mind, use the sections below to get started.
Size & CDL
Begin by estimating your daily passenger load and how much luggage your guests bring. Here are some common needs:
- Smaller vans (8 to 12 passengers) work well for boutique hotels or quick airport transfers.
- Mid-size cutaways (14 to 20 passengers) fit the needs of resorts, casinos, and event centers.
- Larger shuttles (up to 25 passengers) handle busy check-in and check-out times and large group movement.
Next, think about where the vehicle will operate. Tight city streets may call for narrower vans like the Ford Transit or Mercedes-Benz Sprinter. Rural routes can handle longer wheelbases and higher ground clearance.
Any vehicle built to carry more than 15 passengers may require a commercial driver’s license (CDL). In most cases, a CDL is not needed for a bus or van that seats up to 15 people, including the driver, or weighs less than 26,000 pounds. Check your local and state rules to confirm. Your rep at The Bus Center can help you select the right size for your property.
Floor Plans & Mobility
Comfort and easy movement inside the vehicle are key to guest service. This includes aisle width and how luggage is stored, whether in rear racks, interior shelves, or roof racks. Seat layout matters as well. You can choose forward-facing seats, perimeter seating, or a mix, depending on how your guests will use the bus or van.
It is also important to plan for guests who use wheelchairs or need added support. Most wheelchair accessible buses use a rear lift and secure tie downs. At The Bus Center, we use BraunAbility lifts and Sure-Lok or Q’Straint tie-down kits. There are also low-entry buses with ramps instead of lifts.
These choices should be made early in the process so you can avoid costly changes after purchase.
Popular Features & Options
At The Bus Center, we stock a range of buses and vans with special features and options that improve comfort and convenience for your passengers. These are some of the more popular and common features:
- High back reclining seats, tinted windows, and strong rear A/C and heat
- USB ports, Wi-Fi, infotainment, and an intercom for guest convenience
- Backup cameras, step lighting, and automatic doors for added safety
- Rear luggage partitions for organized storage
- GPS support for route planning
- Wheelchair lifts, securement systems, and handrails for accessibility
Some options can be added after purchase through upfitting as well, though this option may be more expensive. Your rep at The Bus Center can help you review options and upgrades, and find the ones that are right for your business.
New vs. Pre-Owned
The vehicle you choose should reflect the standard your property is known for. A well-matched brand sends a clear message about the level of care and service your guests can expect the moment they step inside.
At The Bus Center, we stock trusted manufacturers that fit a wide range of hospitality needs. These brands offer strong service support, solid warranties, and the features guests expect from a professional operation:
- Ford Transit
- Ford E-Series
- Mercedes-Benz Sprinter
- Chevrolet Express / GMC Savana
- Champion / Starcraft / Turtle Top
Choosing the right brand helps your shuttle match the look, feel, and quality of your hotel, resort, or casino while staying within budget.
Fuel Type
Fuel costs make up a large part of your shuttle budget, and each fuel type offers different advantages:
- Gas: Lower upfront cost and easy to find anywhere.
- Diesel: Longer engine life and better power for hilly or heavy routes.
- Electric: No tailpipe emissions, lower operating costs, and a good fit for short, consistent loops.
Our team includes specialists in each fuel type who can help you decide which option is the best fit for your operation.
New vs. Pre-Owned
New buses and vans are always available for hospitality operators, but pre-owned units can be a smart, budget-friendly choice as well.
New vehicles come with strong warranty coverage, including factory warranties on the chassis, powertrain, body structure, A/C, and other components. The Bus Center also provides an extra 5-year / 100,000-mile warranty. If anything goes wrong, our parts, service, and repair team will work to get your vehicle back in service quickly.
Pre-owned units are often sold as is, but many still carry factory warranty coverage depending on age and mileage. Well-known brands also make long-term upkeep easier and more predictable.
Our pre-owned inventory changes often, so your rep at The Bus Center can help you watch for the right bus or van at the right price.
Flexible Financing Options
Depending on what fits your budget, we offer several leasing and financing options for hospitality operators. Your The Bus Center rep can walk you through the plans that support your hotel, resort, casino, or event venue.
Trade-Ins
Upgrading to a new bus or van? We can review your current vehicle for a possible trade-in. Start with our trade-in evaluation guide.
Warranty Support
We will walk you through every step needed to keep your vehicle under warranty, and we will coordinate with our parts and service team on your behalf.
Get Started Today
Need Help Choosing the Right Vehicle?
Let us help. Share your passenger needs, schedule details, and anything else we should know, and one of our tour and charter specialists will reach out to assist with your bus or van selection.