A home-based tour bus service business can be easily started by buying an affordable tour bus for sale from a licensed bus dealership. These used tour buses are available for sale under $25,000 depending on age, mileage, features etc. A home-based bus service provider will also need a dedicated marketing executive and a driver with a regular license to operate the bus. A family of 3 to 4 members can easily and profitably operate this business model. The marketing executive should make a target of making at least 200 phone calls a day and reach out to hotels, tour companies, bus service providers, and find opportunities to offer their bus service. If the bus is small in size, it can be operated with a regular license. Such small-sized buses are also called as a mini bus, short bus or a small bus. They can accommodate up to 15 passengers including the driver in a single rise. The driver should make it a practice to check all the important parts and equipment of the bus before and after every trip. This practice will ensure safety and avoid unforeseen catastrophic repairs. The driver should also be cautious and not drive the bus for more than 9 hours when the demand is high. A third executive should be appointed to clean the bus before and after every trip. This will keep the bus clean and make it attractive to the tourists.
Where to park a bus?
A big garage or a shed is good to park the bus. Never park a bus exposed to the elements. This will reduce its longevity as well as appearance. Safeguarding the bus from the elements will pay off well when the startup business decides to dispose of their bus after several years down the line. Always make sure to park the bus on a flat surface.
Why buy a tour bus for sale that is used already??
A new bus for sale can be expensive and cost upwards of $50,000 with all the bells and whistles. Whereas a tour bus for sale that is "used" or "preowned" can cost less than $25,000. A reputed bus dealership will also offer financing options at attractive interest rates. This makes owning a bus easy and financially stress-free. One should also keep in mind that a new bus depreciated up to 45% in just the first year of hitting the road. This depreciation is irrespective of the fact if the bus was used or kept idle. However, used buses have already gone through the depreciation process and the buyer gets what they pay for. The depreciation is less in used buses compared to new buses. So even if one has the budget to buy a new bus, they should always opt for the preowned ones.
Which tour bus for sale is good for me??? New or Used???
Apart from the depreciation factor mentioned above. If the home-based tour company wants to operate their bus for more than 20,000 miles in a year then they should opt for a new bus. But if they plan to use their bus for less than 20,000 miles then they should go for used buses. Similarly, if the company wants to use the bus for more than 2 years then they should opt for a new bus. However, if their plan is to make some quick bucks and get rid of the bus in 2 years then they should opt for used buses. Used buses for sale ease the bus buying and ownership process. They offer the much needed financial liquidity that most startup and small businesses desperately need. With used mini buses for sale one can get down to making money right away.
How to dispose of the minibus after 2 or 3 years????
If the minibus for sale is purchased from a licensed and bonded bus dealership. Then the dealership will be more than happy to buy their bus back after a few years at a fairly reasonable price. This is the shortest and easiest way of disposing of a bus that is no longer needed. And after disposing of their first bus. The home-based tour company can purchase another used minibus for sale from the same dealership that has fewer miles and less age compared to the one they just disposed of. This way the tour company comes full circle in the bus buying, ownership, and disposing of process. They can even run their entire business for several years by buying and disposing of used minibuses for sale every 2 to 3 years.