D C Tours

I was the teacher in charge of the trip in April 2013 that Gina describes. I have done this trip for 5 years and I DO know how to handle large group tours. From the moment we got in these buses I thought we were in trouble. The bus I was on had permanent fogged windows in the front, TV's did not work, nor did PA system, try driving over 10 hours with 55 people mostly teenagers with no tv. I told group right before we left no using restroom due to smell, however, the driver used it and since we didn't start out using it, I did check it before we left and there was urine on the floor and I don't think it had been dumped, it reeked! The driver told me he knew the tv and pa did not work, that it tore up on previous trip, but was not fixed for our trip. As we progressed on our trip, our ac stopped working supposedly, so not only did we get hot, the smell got worse. My driver had no clue how to drive around the DC area, even went so far as to tell my students they moved the White House, really?! As we went on another driver kept getting away from the rest of us,he got lost and refused to listen to my directions, nor my teachers on the bus on how to catch up with us, so my one bus missed attractions. Then a driver lost her keys, which were in a seat, but we spent over 30 minutes looking for them. We had a place to be and we had time to get there,mad we not had to look for keys. Again, I have planned this trip for 5 years I know if I can make it to places in the time frame. Then drivers complained about going over limits, they were in no danger, as a matter of fact, the itinerary I use does not vary in times and I have used various bus companies and none has ever complained about time, but these drivers. Finally, I just started walking kids more so we wouldn't get lost, could arrive on time, and more importantly not have to listen to rude and uninformed drivers. On our way home, my no ac bus which still reeks, and kids starting to feel sick, I decide to stop more frequently than planned to allow them to get off the hot, stinky bus to get some air and the lead driver got nasty with my lead teacher on his bus, we were stopping too much. I guess they did not care about my kids. Miracously, with no work done on the bus, the driver turns a switch as we get a couple of hours away from destination and the ac worked. I called the company numerous times and was really given a run around. This company wants to blame everyone else for their shortcomings, but as I tell my students take responsibility! When I set this trip up I had one major requirement, drivers who could get around the area even if they got separated. I got one driver who had some experience driving in DC, the other 3 were clueless. So yes my teachers and my highly educated parents, such as engineers, newspaper editor, and officerinmthe military, we did get out our GPS and navigated, if we did not do this, my students would have missed many more attractions than they did and we may still be going to the airport, as one of the buses kept going there. Yes, you did contact me but by your email it was obvious it was useless to talk to you, all you had were excuses and blame on us, mainly me. The trip was over, my kids did not have the spectacular and memorable trip that I wish and work hard for all my students to have. You were not going to give us any of our moby back for all of our troubles because your company is not a reputable company in my opinion. I had 190 people on my trip and all 190 wanted to post on this website and all wiuld sign an affidavit stating that every word I have written is true. Instead, I have Many schools contact me to help plan their trips as my trips have been spread by word of mouth as being an excellent trip, so I just always relay to these schools the experience we had and all of those that have asked my opinion refuse to use your company. I figure my bad experience wil save others. Also, my parents wanted to take paint and on the back of your buses where it says DC tours, they wanted to put an E in between the D and the C to make it read detours,that was our trip summed up. I actually could give more examples, however, I believe I have gotten my point across.

Student field trip to Washington DC. The trip up, we had no air conditioning, with 47 people on board, calls were made to the owner who showed no concern. The bus drivers had no idea where they were going and how to get there. We were delayed with driving anywhere we went, one bus driver lost the key to the bus, which resulted in a 30 min. or more delay. We got lost going from one destination to another, parents were having to give directions to the drivers. We had another delay with a dead bus battery. I would not recommend this bus company to anyone. The owner when contacted showed no concern and did nothing to remedy the situation. And again on the way home no air conditioning. Horrible bus experience!