Neighborhood bus ticket agency counter

Travelers who prefer to pay in person or need help booking: students, workers without credit cards, seniors, and communities with family routes between cities.

Commission from the operator on each ticket sold, plus any service fee you are allowed to add. Some agents also sell related items like luggage tags or travel snacks.

• Friendly customer service
• Careful with cash and booking details
• Learning route and fare systems
• Speaking the languages of your local community helps

• Operator agent agreements: commission rates, minimum sales, equipment costs and refund rules differ by company
• Some states require sellers of travel to register, check whether ticket sales fall under your state's rules
• Check your city or county for a business license and any retail or sales tax registration for fees you charge
• General liability insurance and cash handling safety
• Commission on a single ticket is small, so location and foot traffic matter a lot

Startup costs are typically around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on your location, fit-out, equipment and any costs set by the bus operators you work with. Agent agreements differ by company, so review them before you commit.

Monthly revenue is typically around $1,500 to $7,500, depending on your location, foot traffic and the commission rates you agree with operators. These are estimates, not guarantees. Plan for at least about 25 hours a week at the counter.

Review each operator's agent agreement for commission, minimum sales, equipment costs and refund rules. Check whether your state requires travel sellers to register, and ask your city or county about a business license and sales tax registration. Also check general liability insurance.