Minibus charter for groups and events

Wedding parties, schools, sports clubs, churches, seniors' groups, tour organizers and local employers.

Hourly or per-trip charter rates, often with a minimum number of hours. Extras can include waiting time, long-distance mileage and after-hours trips. Repeat bookings from clubs, schools and event planners help fill quiet weeks.

• Safe, confident driving of larger vehicles
• Reliable and punctual
• Friendly with groups
• Trip planning and basic bookkeeping

• Provincial and federal rules for commercial passenger carriers (operator registration, safety certificates, inspections), which vary by province
• Municipal or provincial licensing for charter and for-hire passenger vehicles, especially for pickups in some cities
• Commercial passenger insurance is costly and can be hard to get as a new operator
• Vehicle costs, maintenance and downtime, and quiet winter months in many regions
• Hours-of-service and driver fatigue rules, plus GST/HST registration once revenue passes the small supplier threshold
• Quebec has its own rules and French-language requirements

Estimates suggest startup costs typically around $20,000 to $90,000, depending on the vehicle you buy, its condition and your setup. Vehicle costs, maintenance and downtime can add up, so budget for them.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $3,000 to $14,000, depending on bookings, vehicle and region. Many regions have quiet winter months, so plan cash flow accordingly. These are estimates, not guarantees.

Check provincial and federal rules for commercial passenger carriers, including operator registration, safety certificates and inspections. Also check municipal or provincial for-hire licensing, commercial passenger insurance, hours-of-service rules, and Quebec's own rules and French-language requirements.