ABOUT
TCP CHARTER SERVICES

Below is some general information including but not limited to the pricing mechanism of tour-bus as one of the charter services licensed to serve the public.. We may be able to shop and reserve tour-bus Service for you for any occasion or event; and, we don't charge you anything for our services, but for the fare you pay for the transportation. Now, if you have the time, you may shop for yourself using the directory for your particular area or community. NOW........

TCP Services like tour-buss are "Transportation Charter Party Carriers of Passengers" - TCP.  In California, any stretched sedan, van, SUV, motor-coach, etc, with passenger seating capacity of 10 or more persons may be classified as a tour-bus. All tour-bus operators must first obtain proper licenses from the California Public Utilities Commission (PUC) before operating: tour-bus operating license number designated as TCP-####-P (or A or B) may be seen visibly painted (as required) on the front and rear bumpers of the vehicle, on their business cards, fliers, and any form of ad.
          Now, before you engage the services of a tour-bus company you may want to verify the license with the PUC. As with any industry or business, the transportation industry has its share of "bandits" or "unlicensed individuals and corporations" posing as legitimate companies before an unsuspecting public. tour-bus services offered by "Bandit" operators are dangerous and must be avoided. Remember, tour-bus Service is a pre-arranged charter service in which the customer is in control. You as a diligent customer must do your very best to always verify the authenticity of the license before using any tour-bus company; Or, let us do it for you, since we have the time assist anyone.

 REMEMBER, each tour-bus service offered and or taken is an arrangement agreed upon by both parties (the tour-bus service provider and the customer) for a a duration of time for dollars (as in, $$ per hour) or on the basis of Mileage (as in, $$ per mile); or a combination of Time and Mileage depending on your itinerary or stops (waiting time) you wish to make. They cannot quote or charge a fixed (flat) fare or charge or per person fare. And, NOTE that each tour-bus Service is for the use of the whole vehicle by the one party who chartered the tour-bus.

Ask the  CALIFORNIA PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION (PUC) - License Section ; or

YOU MAY USE ANY SAFE VEHICLE IN YOUR TCP FLEET SUCH AS THE FOLLOWING VEHICLE TYPES BELOW:

A SUPER-LUXURY CAR

A VAN

A MOTORBIKE WITH SIDECAR!

EVEN A RICKSHAW

call the PUC; or let us help you get your license.  YOU ARE IN CONTROL as you pay for Time or Mileage. Anyone can use a tour-bus! They take you directly to your home or business or wherever you want within the state.
All tour-bus operators with the proper operating authority (license) know how to quote the fares (charges) based strictly as described above.  Any carrier that charges otherwise (Licensed or Not) is an illegal (or Bandit) operator; that is, an operator  operating beyond the scope of its authority, and a possible danger to the public. NOTE, if an operator ignores one rule he/she is more likely to ignore other safety (or pricing) rules. 
          All Charter Party Carriers of Passengers (TCP) are required to post their License Number in a prescribed manner: TCP - # - letter designation of (A) or (B) or (P), etc, denoting the type of service the carrier is authorized to provide. Because TCP does not have specific service points or tariffs they can take you anywhere in the State and change their negotiable Rates at will prior to each service: terminate service under inhospitable situations.         
          For information about California TCP licenses, you may  contact the PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION (PUC) - License Section or let us help you get your own license in a timely manner to start and operate your business. We already do our best to market TCP businesses and soon we will be selling for you!

COMPARED TO SHARE-RIDE SHUTTLES:
          In California, "share-ride" Shuttles also known as Passenger Stage Corporations are licensed (granted a "certificate of public convenience and necessity (CPCN)") to operate at the public's convenience.  A shuttle operator is one has prepared and filed a formal Application, gone through the rigors of the application process and has been qualified or authorized by the California Public Utilities Commission to serve a specific route or operate between specific points.
          Now, if wish to operate a shuttle service to/from any airport (airports are considered private properties), you may also call the airport's "Landside Operations" Unit (the department that controls ground transportation at the airport) of the respective airports for access, and safety concerns they might have about any carrier that serves the airport. With shuttles, Safety and the proper application of the fares is always of concern: some carriers may risk passenger safety in traffic or operate uninsured equipment or use unqualified drivers, on the one hand, or charge fares not authorized in the Tariff, on the other hand.

ABOUT THIS WEBPAGE:
          This webpage has been published to assist you and any member of the public learn more about CHARTER services, find and reserve properly licensed limousine and other charter services, and to encourage TCP-charter companies to operate properly and safely.
          SOON, we encourage you to ADVERTISE on this web site; we take care of all the arrangements for the carrier to pickup the customer, on time at the prearranged point at the carrier's fares/charges.  Remember, if we help license your service, we know what to tell the public about you; AND THAT IS GOOD FOR YOU! NOTE: This company has been formed by a former regulator with public safety and fare market practices in mind.