A fair price for an evening party shuttle?

[DaveJ]

I need to rent a shuttle for an evening party, that will hold like 15 or so people. Does anyone have any opinion with regard to what a fair price would be for this?

Places seem to charge $125/hr, for 6 hours, but is that fair? $125/hr is like $250k per year. I mean, that's like rich IMO. I didn't know a driver gets to live in a McMansion in the suburbs... I'm joking, I know that half the money goes to the owner of the company, who sits around and collect $1 million a year, but I'd prefer just to pay the driver, since paying some owner for doing nothing is generally against my ethics.

Is it reasonable to look for an individual who owns a shuttle? Then pay that person like $400 for a nights work?

[ScreamingMeemie]

1. To be honest, I know someone who runs a party shuttle and they

aren't sitting around collecting a ton of money. The insurance for the vehicle and for the liability involved with the service is expensive. Maintenance on the vehicle is expensive, along with gas etc...

FWIW, the person I know who owns the business lives in a 2 bedroom/1 bath 850 square foot ranch, if that makes you feel a little better about it. :)

[DaveJ]

2. How much do they charge?

And is the location of the ranch house nice? The location is often even more of a price factor than the size.

I received quotes without gas. Gas is extra.

They have to pay maintenance, but even someone making $10/hr has to maintain their car right?


Is your friend not getting booked alot?

[ScreamingMeemie]

3. They've been in business 10 years. I haven't talked to them in awhile

but as of the last time I was aware of rates (2008-ish) it was around $100/hour including gas. Erm...I'm a real estate appraiser, these people live in Michigan...no, the house is just a basic house.

Even someone making $10/hour has to maintain their car...but not for the hiring and use by other people. Liability insurance for limos is expensive. It's really hard, from what I have seen, to sit back and make a million dollars in this business.

"Is my friend not getting booked a lot?" The shuttle was gone all weekend and many weeknights for pub crawls... :shrug:

Renting party shuttles and limos is not cheap and, most times, you get what you pay for.

[DaveJ]

8. I'm just totally confused

More money in 6 hours than most people make in a week. For a job that, I would say, requires less skill than any other job in the world. I guess I just don't get it, but thanks so much for your observations.

[ScreamingMeemie]

9. I don't think you were looking for information...

I think you were looking for agreement. I won't make the mistake of "helping" again. I'm sure your job isn't really necessary either...and yet they pay you.

[Bunny]

10. Thanks for saying that.

I'm amazed that someone who has presumably made it to adulthood could be so obtuse. I'm with you, I think he doesn't want help, he just wants to insult other working people.

[Kali]

4. that's less than $10/person/hour

cheaper than a cab, more fun and no DUIs! pay up.

[DaveJ]

6. Ok, thanks.

Just seeking opinions. Even ones I disagree with are greatly appreciated! (BTW, I make software that is used by thousands of people and nobody thinks I should charge them all individually) I'm just making observations, Thanks so much for your feedback!

[alphafemale]

5. $125 an hr. Split between fifteen people????

Yes. Very Reasonable.

And btw you still owe the driver a tip.

If someone actually throws up something that should be much money extra.

If you think this is a ripoff check out the rates of a DUI.

Not only the fine. But on your insurance rates for the rest of your life.

[DaveJ]

7. I am definitely in the wrong profession

Why in the world did I spend years in college when I could make over $125/hr just to drive! My college loan money could be going to make the bus payment.

I guess they are working part time and not 60 hrs a week like I do though. They are cool unlike me, not stressed from continual never-ending work.

The $125/hr they make I guess is what like 12-18 hrs a week, so a mere $2,250 a week for part time work (plus 20% tip), I should have more sympathy for them. Granted, the fat cats who employ them are taking most of that.

Anyways, thanks! The important thing is I know what I need to pay, so your feedback is incredibly valuable.

[Kali]

11. maybe you should give it a try

you have an education, try looking the rules regs and fees up for this sort of company - see if they manage to keep one or more vehicles running 8 hours/day 5 days/week for "full time" hours.

If $125/hour is too much for you, don't pay it - take a cab, find some volunteer designated drivers, have a party at your house, or rent a hall. You seem to just want to complain about the "outrageous" profit somebody might be making without giving ANY thought to overhead. Get a clue.

[DaveJ]

15. Oh I'm sorry I did not mean to offend anyone

I've decided to rent a van since they go for around $100 for 24 hrs. And then pay someone $250, if I can find anyone who will drive for such a pittance.

I'm sorry I did something to offend you to the point where you are telling me, "get a clue." Unfortunately I'm not a very likeable person. Sometimes I just want to ask a question. I'm sorry.

[Kali]

18. be aware

15 passengers is the limit for a regular driver's license, above that you need somebody with a commercial license - oh yeah, one more of those overhead items a business has to cover.;-)

and a 15 passenger van really only holds about 10 to 12 people comfortably for any length of time. I have a little experience driving groups in a van.

[Brickbat]

12. Why on earth are you sticking with your job when you could be pulling it in at $125 an hour?

Your coolness quotient would go up instantly, I'm sure. After all, paying for 10 times the amount of required insurance coverage on each vehicle in your fleet totally makes you cool.

And yeah, being liable for a bunch of drunk people on a regular basis probably doesn't cause any stress at all. And paying for cleaning and stocking a party bus after every single trip? A walk in the park!

$125 an hour and you're still sitting here? What are you waiting for! Who's the dumbass here -- them for charging it and pocketing it hand over first, or you for not jumping on this cash-raining bandwagon?

[DaveJ]

14. I'm seriously considering it.

[Gormy Cuss]

13. $125/hr is the cost, not the wage.

Cost includes the direct expenses like wages and indirect expenses like advertising, equipment,office space. If your employer is paying you $10/hr and you are provided with an average level of benefits and space in an office, the cost to rent you out per hour is probably between $20 and $40, assuming that you will have sufficient billings to keep the per unit cost for indirects low. If you are typically billable for only about 20 hours a week, the cost per hour would be even higher. On top of cost, some level of profit is also assumed.

[DaveJ]

16. I'm sorry everyone

Everyone obviously dislikes me, of course I bring it on myself, I deserve it. I'm a bad person, obtuse, bad personality, etc. I just wanted to apologize. Bye.

[Kali]

19. how old are you?

why are you acting so passive aggressive? what are you apologizing for? you had an opinion and got some new information. You don't owe anybody an apology (well maybe the driver you were going to hire for your mistaken belief he was getting rich)

[tabbycat31]

17. one of my friends is a chauffeur

And he does not make that kind of money. The company he works for might charge it but he does not pocket it.