| In a world that is challenged with the debate of | | | | expenses for the riders and trip coordinators. |
| global warming and general pollution to every part | | | | Group B is taking the Van Hool T2145 bus which |
| of the environment, going green with our choices | | | | holds up to 56 people. It has a 231 gallon fuel tank |
| is a collective initiative that must be taken | | | | (on average motor coaches get 392 (7 mpg x 56 |
| regardless of what side of the arguments one | | | | passengers) passenger miles per gallon) which can |
| may be on. | | | | provide a consistent non-stop trip. Every charter |
| A great way to go green is to consider the use | | | | bus company will charge differently for their |
| of charter buses verses a fleet of vans or cars | | | | services but most of the time will factor in |
| to haul groups of people to destinations. | | | | mileage, time of trip, type of bus and driver |
| In a hypothetical situation, two groups are | | | | accommodations. |
| transporting 45 people each, from Grand Rapids | | | | In comparison to the 2,421 grams of carbon |
| Michigan to Chicago Illinois for a one night stay. | | | | content put out per mile from gasoline, most |
| Group A is renting three Ford 250 SuperDuty 15 | | | | motor coaches will run off diesel fuel which gets |
| passenger vans and group B is renting a Van Hool | | | | about 2,778 grams of carbon content from a |
| T2145 charter bus. The destination starting point | | | | gallon of fuel used. In calculations from the round |
| is in Grand Rapids and the ending point is in | | | | trip to Chicago from Grand Rapids, the three vans |
| Chicago, Illinois. These destinations are roughly 150 | | | | will have produced 158,257 grams of carbon |
| miles apart by taking the I-94 and the I-196. | | | | content while the motor coach would have |
| With Group A and the three 15-passenger vans, | | | | produced a mere 3416.94 grams of carbon |
| they will have had to spend more money filling up | | | | content. |
| the three 35 gallon gas tanks (which in most | | | | It's highly recommended to weigh out the options |
| cases must be filled up before it is returned). | | | | of renting a motor coach verses the options of |
| Upon stopping at gas stations, it becomes a | | | | renting a fleet of vans. The American Bus |
| major temptation to exit the van, shop, use the | | | | Association reports that Motorcoaches reduce |
| restroom and generally waste unneeded time. | | | | carbon dioxide emissions by 85%, can replace up |
| The trip can also be taxing on the trip from | | | | to 55 cars driven by single drivers and even |
| policing activity in the back of the van, to | | | | require 82% less fuel than hybrid vehicles |
| navigating or keeping track of their convoy. | | | | (American Bus Association). |
| Although the environmental protection agency | | | | Going green usually is not the cost efficient |
| states that Gasoline creates 357 grams of carbon | | | | choice, but in this case it is. Renting a motor |
| content per gallon, the carbon dioxide output is | | | | coach over multiple vans can help prevent harmful |
| actually tripled in this case from the number of | | | | toxins released into the atmosphere and help |
| vans. Even a brand new 2010 F250 Ford 15 | | | | save money. Before groups book follow through |
| passenger van will only get between 15-19 mpg. | | | | with booking an entire trip, they should be |
| The bigger the van is, the bigger the engine, and | | | | requesting quotes from their local charter bus |
| the more carbon created. | | | | company to help make smarter economical and |
| The average gas prices in Michigan are roughly | | | | environmental transportation choices. |
| $2.89 per gallon and can quickly rake up the | | | | |