ROLLING V BUS

I am the Director of Operations for a company in Sullivan County that was looking to charter a bus for a trip to Long Island on 7−12−15. There were 14 passengers traveling. When I contacted Rolling V Bus Company for information they suggested we charter a «Limo Bus» which seated 21 people. The ride was 147 miles each way and the driver would wait 5 hours for the return trip. The cost of the trip was $ 1400.00 payable in advance. The driver also was given a $ 100.00 tip (despite the equipment problems I am about to describe).
The initial problem on the bus was that the air conditioning wasn’t working. The temperature outside was in the 90’s. Our staff said they felt like they were going to suffocate. This was a long ride and they could not open the windows (not that that would have cooled them off much).
Comments from staff on this problem were alarming:
«The driver did ask if the air was coming out and one of our passengers went to the back of the bus to check and informed him that it was not. My hope was that once the bus and A/​C had been running a bit, it would begin to cool off. It did not. To my knowledge, the bus driver didn’t make any attempt to resolve the problem with the A/​C when he was told in Sloatsburg or any time during the remainder of the trip. Not long before we were expected to arrive in Long Island, the heat under the seats came on, blowing, it seemed, full blast. This certainly added insult to injury and making our already uncomfortable trip even more so. When the heat came on, more than one person yelled forward to the driver that the heat was on. I did not see a reaction or hear a response from the driver.»
«As we drove closer and closer to our destination, the vehicle got warmer and warmer until we were about 15 — 20 minutes from our destination. The HEAT actually came on. I was afraid the bus was on fire as the heat was pouring out from underneath the seat. We were actually yelling at the driver at this time to turn off the blowers as they were blowing HOT air and HEAT. Unless the driver has significant hearing loss, there is no way that we were not heard as a group. This was not just me, but almost everyone on the bus asking loudly to turn off the blowers because of the heat. I was becoming nauseous. When we arrived at our destination, I specifically turned to the driver and asked if there would be another bus or if the a/​c situation would be remedied. He stated that it would NOT with no consideration for anyone’s comfort or even medical conditions. He also made a face as though this was a bothersome question.»
«When the driver was asked again if he could at least turn off the blowers (which were blowing hot air in 90 degree heat, he got angry turned the dial off with a clearly irritated attitude.»
When I spoke to the passengers as they arrived on Long Island they were all very upset. They also complained about the poor maintenance of the vehicle.
«The so called „limo-​bus“ rode like a school bus. We felt every single bump the entire long ride to Long Island. Being banged around while being baked to death is a bit too much to ask I think. I spent the whole ride down with my leg sticking out in the aisle because my knee was aching. My knee surgery was years ago, but that ride was a killer.»
«I want to confirm that the bus was far from a luxury or even a comfortable ride and is actually a vehicle that should be taken off the road. Every bump and pothole on the road was felt with force — I have a replaced hip and the force created much discomfort in my hip and lower back.»
I spoke to the driver and told them we need another bus for the return. This was at 11:00AM. The scheduled return time was 4:30 PM. The replacement bus did not arrive until 5:15PM, so everyone was late getting home. The replacement bus while riding better did not have much better air conditioning than the first bus.
I spoke with the charter department and I asked for (at the very least) an adjustment on the rate they charged us as their equipment was in terrible shape and we did not get what we paid for. They furnished me with statements from the driver and said that our folks did not report the problem soon enough, which was not true. The company offered no consideration for the terrible service. Therefore I am recommending avoiding Rolling V Bus Company at all costs. They obviously care little about what kind of service they offer their customers only that they get paid promptly. I would never use them again under any circumstances whatsoever!!!