FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

 If you have any questions not addressed here, please call us for more assistance at 781.895.1100.


About TransAction


  • What are your business hours?

    Our office hours are weekdays from 5:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. EST.

  • Where are you located?

    Our main office is located at 5 Wheeling Avenue in Woburn, MA. We operate in the Greater Boston area and throughout New England.

  • Do you offer shuttle charters that go across the country?

    TransAction isn't a national provider so we don't provide cross-country service. We focus on providing service in and around the Boston area, which allows us to be an affordable option. We also offer multi-day service throughout New England. In cases where you may be traveling just outside of our radius of service for a same-day event, we're happy to recommend other qualified regional providers we know who operate safely and can accommodate your needs. For these trips, you typically are charged for the vehicle to be driven to your pick-up location, which can add to the expense. In some cases, it may be more affordable to use a provider based closer to your venue. Give us a call and we'll help you figure everything out and make recommendations. 

  • What's the best way for me to comparison shop?

    Bus transportation is a unique type of service and not all bus companies operate the same way. Here are some tips to make sure you are comparing apples to apples and get the best quality for the price: 

    1.  Safety rating. If it is more than a rating of 0 on the categories of UNSAFE DRIVING, HOURS OF SERVICE COMPLIANCE, CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES AND ALCOHOL, and DRIVER FITNESS, you should look elsewhere. We highly recommend that you check this for yourself at the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration website. TransAction's ratings in those categories are 0 across the board, which is a perfect safety rating.
    2. Age of vehicles. Our vehicles are all new or newer models, offering the best fuel efficiency, comfort, and ADA safety compliance.
    3. Liability insurance limits. Make sure your provider has adequate insurance coverage for passengers and vehicle(s).
    4. Years in operation. TransAction Corporate Shuttles has been operating for over 30 years.
    5. Ask if the provider is also the bus operator. For example, many providers claim they have a fleet available when in fact they are using another provider to operate the shuttle service. This invites a variety of concerns regarding liability, customer experience, and other issues you should be aware of when reserving your transportation.
    6. Ask if a quote is all-inclusive, meaning, do they include driver gratuity, tolls, fuel expense, mileage, etc. You don't want to be blindsided by hidden costs that show up in your final bill.

Safety


  • What is TransAction Corporate Shuttles safety rating?

    Safety is of paramount importance to our entire company. TransAction Corporate Shuttles scores a "0" with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration – which is a perfect rating with zero incidents -- in the following categories: 

    • Unsafe driving
    • Hours of service compliance
    • Controlled substances and alcohol
    • Driver fitness

    To see for yourself and compare against other providers, visit this link.


  • What if my shuttle breaks down during service?

    On the rare occasion that a vehicle goes out of service because of a breakdown, we replace it with a comparable or better vehicle as soon as possible to get you back on the road and to or from your event. With our large fleet, we are always prepared for unexpected events.

  • Is there a time limit on how long a driver can operate the vehicle(s)?

    In accordance with safety regulations, a driver can drive a maximum of ten (10) hours at a time, and/or be in service/on duty for no more than fifteen (15) hours. Drivers must have an eight (8) hour break prior to restart. We make sure these time constraints for driver safety are included in your transportation quote, so your plan includes all of these considerations. These limitations comply with all travel industry standards to keep pilots, drivers, conductors, and other operators safe, alert, and focused on providing a quality experience for all passengers.


Private Event Transportation


  • Do you need a deposit and how do I pay for my shuttle trip(s)?

    TransAction accepts a variety of payment methods. For established customers, we will send an invoice after the service is completed. We do accept personal checks, as long as we receive the payment at least two weeks prior to the service. We can also provide a credit card authorization form for most bookings. We require a 50% deposit at the time of booking.

  • What happens after I book my shuttle and prior to the event?

    Once your booking is confirmed, we will stay in touch with you regarding your reservation. You can expect an email with a reservation confirmation and a phone call 48 hours prior to the event to confirm the reservation. At that time we will provide you the driver's name and cell phone number.

  • Should I tip the driver when our trip is completed?

    TransAction's rates are all-inclusive. Every shuttle quote automatically includes a 15% gratuity for the driver as well as mileage, fuel, and all other costs. That way, when the trip is over, our customers don't have to worry about any additional fees and can focus on having fun at their event. If you would like to provide the driver with an additional gratuity for their exceptional performance, you are welcome to do so.

  • What if I have to cancel my shuttle booking reservation?

    We understand that sometimes plans unexpectedly change. For a full refund of your 50% deposit, contact us at least 72 hours prior to your event to tell us you are canceling your booking. If you contact us with less than 72 hours notice for your booking, we will have to retain your deposit. If the vehicle arrives at your pick-up location, please know that the entire amount is due in full. Your charges at that time can be paid with cash or credit card.

  • Is alcohol allowed on board your shuttles? How about smoking?

    Alcohol may be consumed on our vehicles, as long as ALL passengers are at least 21 years of age. We will provide you a copy of our Terms and Conditions to sign and return if any alcohol will be consumed on the vehicle. For safety purposes, we do not allow glass containers or glassware. Coolers are allowed, just please note that the cooler must be placed on a seat so that the aisle remains clear and passable (state and federal safety regulation).

  • Can passengers smoke on your shuttles?

    There is no smoking allowed on TransAction vehicles.

  • How will I know what my shuttle looks like?

    It can be a bit challenging and confusing at popular venues (like Fenway Park or Gillette Stadium) to identify which shuttle is for your group. TransAction provides clearly marked laminated signs for every shuttle. We also assign a lead driver who will make contact prior to arriving and then when they are at the pick-up or drop-off location. The lead driver will also coordinate any and all requested changes with you. Our goal is to make sure that all trip-related communication is clear and easy so you can focus on your event.

  • Do you have school buses in your fleet?

    TransAction does not operate school buses. Many of our new customers believe that they can save money on their group transportation by asking for school buses. However, school buses typically do not offer air conditioning and heat, and although some do have seat belts, the seating can be uncomfortable for adult guests. We pride ourselves on offering a wide variety of vehicles in our fleet that are ADA-accessible, have heat and air conditioning, comfortable seating for adults, and generally provide a more pleasant transportation experience. We know budgeting can be a challenge, and we will do our best to quote you the best price possible for your group transportation.

  • How far in advance do I need to make my reservation?

    That depends on your needs. Although we have a large, diverse fleet, during popular seasons (sports playoffs, wedding season, etc.) our vehicles get booked up quickly. If we don't have a specific vehicle available for your requested dates, we will do our best to accommodate your group in any way that we can, perhaps with a different size vehicle or at a slightly different time. Your best bet is to call us to make your reservation as early as possible to avoid the risk of not getting the best vehicle for your event.

  • Who can I contact if I have a problem during my transportation service?

    You'll be provided with the driver's name and cell phone number prior to your trip. If you need to speak with our office for any reason, the driver will provide you with a cell phone number for someone on our management team. Our dispatchers are always on call if they are needed by a driver.

  • What happens if one of my guests leaves something on the shuttle?

    We go through every shuttle after the completion of each service to look for items left behind and collect them. They are stored for a time at our main office. If one of your guests left an item on our shuttle, contact our office at 781.895.1100 to retrieve the item.

  • I have a multi-day trip planned, do I need to provide hotel lodging for the driver?

    For multi-day trips, often the hotel will include a complimentary room for your driver if you have a large group staying at the hotel, so be sure to inquire when making your hotel reservations. If a complimentary room is not available, you will need to reserve lodging for your driver. This will ensure that you have access to your driver for any questions or assistance with transportation.


Shuttles Pricing


  • What does it cost to book a shuttle trip?

    Every one of our shuttle bookings is catered to your event, group size, and other factors. This allows us to provide you the most affordable quote for your group transportation. For a rough idea of pricing, here is an example that may help: For a 14-passenger bus, our all-inclusive quote would likely start around $368 (four-hour minimum one way). A 33-passenger bus would start around $595 for the same trip.

  • Would it be cheaper to just have my guests take Lyft/Uber or taxi cabs to and from my event?

    Customers sometimes tell us they are considering using Uber/Lyft or taxis for their guest transportation. If you are only transporting a few people and the trip is short, it may be an option. Keep in mind when you are comparison shopping that most transportation network companies (Lyft and Uber) use surge pricing so that they cost more during peak times. We suggest that you also consider the experience you want your guests to have at your event. We have found that customers tell us they enjoy their event so much more when the group travels together, and guests aren’t responsible for their own transportation. Everyone can arrive at the same time and can focus on the event, relax, and have fun. Call us to talk about your group and the event you are planning and we can help you to figure out what would work best. Our goal is to always make sure you get the best transportation solution to meet your needs at the best price – even if that means that we sometimes recommend you use another transportation provider.

  • What information do I need to have ready to get a quote on group transportation?

    To prepare a quote for your event we need to know: 

    1. Number of guests
    2. Pick-up address
    3. Drop-off address
    4. Date and time of pick-up 
    5. Date and time of your return trip

    Depending on your event, we may also offer ideas that will help you save money and make the experience more enjoyable for your guests. That's why we like to talk to you and learn more about what you're trying to create so we can help you to plan.

  • Is it more or less expensive to have the shuttle remain at the venue for the return trip, or leave and come back?

    For the greatest efficiency and cost savings, we have a four-hour minimum for every shuttle booking. In many cases, if the entire event duration falls within 10-12 hours, it is more affordable to keep the shuttle on-site. If the event falls outside this time, it is more affordable because we'll quote the transportation as two separate four-hour minimum trips. Either way, we will always recommend the most cost-effective plan to fit your transportation budget.

  • What if your quote is over my budget?

    We always strive to make our quotes fit your budget. Since we have so many different vehicles to choose from—and we're really good at custom-designing group transportation plans for our customers—we’ll do our best to be creative and find a combination of vehicles that will fit your budget. In the end, we never try to hard-sell you into something you're not comfortable with. We're here to help eliminate the stress from planning your transportation, and that includes fitting within your budget.

  • Why do you limit your rentals to four-hour minimums?

    You'll find as you shop around that the four-hour minimum is an Industry standard. It's more attractive to our drivers to have longer bookings and helps us retain the best quality drivers who consistently execute our safety practices and who will also provide a great experience for our guests. Also, because of the distance traveled, nature of events, and number of people in each group, it helps us offer the most affordable pricing for shuttle bookings.

  • Do you provide any type of discount for repeat customers?

    We have many customers who come back to us time and time again. We offer a 20% discount to our customers for repeat business.

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