Charter Policy and Reservations
Reservations
Reservations must be made, with a signed contract, at least ten business days prior to the requested date of the charter. Reservations are accepted Monday - Friday during normal business hours. Service will not be provided if a signed contract is not received or if the department designee does not hold budget authority to charter.
Charters are subject to fleet availability. The charter department will provide options of which vehicles to use considering the size of the group and activity of the group.
Charters in transit buses are available at a flat rate of $72 per hour, per vehicle, with a two-hour minimum. Included in the two-hour minimum is one half hour at the beginning and one half hour at the end of the charter for preparation and clean-up.
Charters of motor coach buses are available at very, very competitive prices, with a four-hour minimum. Pricing includes one half hour at the beginning and one half hour at the end of the charter for preparation and clean-up.
Reservations requested and met, or additional vehicles required on a reserved contract, after the 10- business day policy will result in a fee of $144 per transit bus requested and $240 per coach bus, if the request can be met considering fleet and staffing availability.
Cancellations made after the contract has been signed, and within the ten business days will result in a cancellation fee of 20 percent of total cost of charter contracted. All cancellations must be received in writing with the signature of the Representative or the Dean, Director, or Designee.
NOTE: Information may be given verbally, but all requests must be made in writing. The preferred method of request is made via the web page. However, e-mail, postal delivery, and fax are also accepted.
Who Can Apply?
Charter reservations can only be made for University business. This includes reservations by campus organizations and departments, and student groups.
Payments
Payments can be made only with a University FRS account or organization check. Cash payments will NOT be accepted. Failure to provide an FRS Account Number or Organization check, as a deposit, will result in the cancellation of buses. Cost estimates are given on the contract and you will receive a bill of the actual costs incurred after your trip.
ADDITIONAL CHARGES MAY INCUR IF:
- the passengers smoke, possess alcoholic beverages, or have illegal drugs
- the bus is damaged, vandalized, or grossly littered
- any other events occurring that are deemed inappropriate by the Charter Department
Policies
Drivers are instructed to wait for passengers for up to 30 minutes from the pick-up time listed on the contract.
When chartering more than one bus, the buses will travel as a group whenever possible. Unscheduled stops will be made at the discretion of the driver. Absolutely no smoking or open alcoholic beverages will be permitted on any bus at any time. Lodging for the driver on overnight trips, parking fees, and tolls are the responsibility of the group.
All payments must be made at least ten business days in advance, either by submitting an FRS Number or an organization check. Only organization checks made payable to the UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND will be accepted. Organizations paying by check must also submit a 20 percent of total cost deposit, as a separate check payment, with the contract.
The driver reserves the right to request that any passenger exit the bus if:
- The passengers smoke or possess open alcoholic beverages.
- The Code of Student Conduct or The Human Relations Code is violated.
- Any activity occurs that limits the driver's ability to drive or affects the safety of passengers.
Although the Department of Transportation Services will make every effort to meet the terms of a contract, there may be instances, due to unforeseen circumstances, to substitute the type of bus reserved with a comparable and equivalent vehicle. D.O.T.S. Staff reserves the right to cancel this contract without notice due to safety concerns associated with severe weather or other emergencies.
Contact the Charter Manager:
Phone: (301) 314-7271
Fax: (301) 314-9314
E-mail: charterum@umd.edu
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