Reservations

What is your refund or cancellation policy?
Due to the need to add additional buses based on student demand, once a seat is confirmed and your credit card has been charged, refunds or cancellations are only possible when we have someone on a waiting list who wants the seat. In that case, we refund your purchase minus $25 processing fees. You must make this request by replying to your trip registration email (from info@collegetransit.com) specifying the ticket you wish to sell and the request must come from the email address used to make the reservation.

What does Available on Backorder mean?
In some cases, the system will use the term “Available on Backorder” instead of our preferred text “Register for the Waiting List”. They mean the same thing and we continue to try to fix this wording.

On Hold – Why is my reservation still say On Hold?
When you first place your order, the initial status will show as “On Hold” until we review the order and either capture the charge which marks it as Booked or add you to the Waiting List.

Waiting List – Why was my credit card charged?
When you register for a waiting list CollegeTransit will “Authorize” your card only. That validates the card as being real but we do NOT “capture” the payment. In your credit card portal this likely would be seen as a pending charge. Only once a seat is confirmed for you will we capture the payment, aka charge you card.

Does the waiting list mean the bus is sold out?
There are two scenarios where CollegeTransit displays a waiting list:
1) When the trip states it is a “Pre-Order”, then this is a waiting list for the first bus. This usually only takes place during new trips where there is no historical information available or when we are creating the option based on family suggestions. So the waiting list is for the first bus in this case.
2) When a bus sells out we start a waiting list to either confirm another bus, we add additional buses based on demand, or to fill a seat should someone wish to give up theirs.

My waiting list registration says it was partially refunded. Does that mean it was canceled?
No, you are still on the waiting list. When registering for a waiting list or pre-order trip, we only authorize your card to ensure it is valid. Credit card companies have a 29 day window for the capture of funds (confirmation) otherwise this type of automated email is sent to you. No action is needed on your part at this time and you have not lost your spot on the waiting list.

How do I cancel my Waiting List registration?
If you registered for a trip’s waiting list and have not had your reservation confirmed, you can cancel your spot. To do so, REPLY to the “Registration” email you first received asking to be removed. As long as we receive that before we confirm your seat and charge your credit card you will be removed from the list. However should you want to get on the list again, you will have to re-register. Please note that once a seat has confirmed and your credit card has been charged, cancellations are no longer accepted.

When can I book or register for a trip?
CollegeTransit typically publishes Fall and Thanksgiving Break trips on or around July 1st. Winter Break is often published closer to the start of the semester so that students understand their final exam schedule. Spring Break is posted on January 1st.

I need to correct my registration information.
Click the “My Account” link at the top right hand side of our site. From there you will be able to change your Personal information.

CollegeTransit Reservation Emails
CollegeTransit will send different types of emails depending on the situation. The primary ones you would receive include:

Subject “Registration” – This is the first email you receive after registering for a trip whether there was a seat available OR if you registered on a waiting list. This registration number is also how you can identify your specific information in our system or when contacting CollegeTransit.

Subject “Confirmed” – This email will be sent once a seat is confirmed to you and your credit card has been charged. If you registered when there were seats available, this email usually follows within 24 hours. If however you signed up on a waiting list, this email will not be sent until such time as we can confirm your seat.

Has my seat confirmed?
Click Account details > My Account at the top right hand side of our site and then “Orders” to check your seat status. If the Status shows “Booked” then you have a confirmed seat, your card has been charged and you should have received a confirmation email.

If there were seats available when you placed your order you will also receive a Confirmed email. If the trip you were registering for was sold out, your registration signed you up for the trip’s Waiting List. When checking your seat status under Orders, you will see this appear as “Waiting List”.

When do I receive my confirmation emails?
After receiving your Registration email, if seats were available when registering you will also receive a Confirmation email normally within 24 hours.

If the trip you registered for was sold out, noted as Waiting List on the trip page, your registration signed you up for the trip’s Waiting List. When and if a seat becomes available, your credit card will be charged and the Confirmation email sent to you automatically.

I haven’t received any confirmation emails.
Please be sure to ADD “confirmation@collegetransit.com” and “info@collegetransit.com” to your email account’s Safe Senders list (or equivalent) to ensure it is not flagged as spam. This is one of the most common reasons for not receiving our email.

Also check your spam folder. If you do not see the emails there, log into the website and click the “My Account” link at the top right hand side of our site. Once logging in you will be able to verify your contact information as well as the status of your reservation.

If you are unable to login then contact us at info@collegetransit.com so we can verify you successfully submitted your initial registration.

If your credit card has been charged and you have not received any confirmation emails, contact us at info@collegetransit.com immediately.

Are tickets transferable?
No, tickets are not transferable between trips or from one person to another.

I’m on a Waiting List, when will my seat confirm?
Trips that are sold out (Wait Listed) are difficult to predict as future seat availability is based on student demand. If enough students register for a trip’s Waiting List we will order an additional bus from the bus providers and open up seats (confirming orders). The more time that exists before a trip the more likely this is to happen. As soon as we reach a minimum number of required registrations we will automatically confirm seat reservations, charge credit cards and issue Confirmation emails.

We as a result always encourage students to make sure their classmates are aware of our travel option so we can serve as many students as possible.

Day of Travel

Are there assigned seats or buses?
CollegeTransit does not have assigned seats. However we do sometimes assign students to specific buses based upon their origination/destination.
Bus assignments as noted on your ticket are not considered final until the day before travel as bus assignments may change up until that point.

Do I receive an actual ticket to board?
Yes, all passengers receive an email with a unique QR Code a few days before travel. Students can either print the email or use their smartphone to board the bus. Drivers will use their smartphone to scan the QR code when entering the bus.
Please note the scan will only work once.

How many bags am I allowed to bring?
Students must limit their luggage to one carry-on plus either 1 large suitcase OR 2 medium suitcases that are placed underneath the bus.

How will you let us know about any delays in arrival?
With any road trip, especially around the holidays, there is the potential for delays due to weather, traffic and other unforeseen circumstances. When issues are identified, CollegeTransit will send updates via Twitter and Facebook so those families following can get immediate updates.

I left something on the bus, what do I do?
Contact us immediately. Always check to make sure you have everything with you before getting off the bus. Items left on the bus are discovered during cleaning at the bus company’s facility. You will need to make arrangements (and pay for shipping) to have your item shipped to you.

I won’t be taking the bus in one direction, what should I do?
Please notify us before the day of travel so we aren’t looking for you before departing. If this is the first leg of the trip, you will still be able to use the return portion of your ticket back to campus. However you do not get a credit to use for a different trip.

Tell me more about the bus itself.
We work with charter bus companies that provide large luxury motor coaches for use on our trips. They typically seat 56 passengers that have an on-board bathroom and more often now also include WiFi and power outlets. Though it is always recommended to assume there is no power or WiFi and plan accordingly. Our primary charter company used is called Chariots For Hire, a well established company with one of the highest safety records.

What if I have class scheduled on the day of travel?
There is a strong possibility you will have classes scheduled during our departure day. While we would like to avoid missing classes, due to the distance we are traveling it is unavoidable. We therefore strongly recommend that as soon as you know you will use CollegeTransit – talk to your professor. Tell them you are from out of state and this is your only option to get home, then ask to make-up the class. The earlier you do this the better and your Professor will appreciate it. Never wait until the week of departure or simply skip class.

When do I need to arrive for the bus?
Arrive at your departure location 15 minutes prior to boarding times. The bus will depart as scheduled and will not wait for those who are not present.

What COVID related measures will be in place during travel?
We will follow the recommended or required travel guidelines in place from the CDC and University recommendations at the time of travel. For example, if masks are required for traveling on planes then we too would require masks while on the bus.

My Account

How do I create an account?
1) Click Account Details > My Account at the top right side of our site
2) Enter your email address and a password
3) Click Register

Your information is NEVER sold to any other company and is kept completely private. Please view our Privacy Policy for more information.

How do I edit my account information?
Click the Account Details > My Account link at the top right hand side of our site to edit your account information.

I forgot my password.
On the lower left hand corner of our site click “Lost password” and follow the instructions.

What is your refund policy?
Please see our Terms & Conditions for complete details regarding our return policy. In short, once a credit card is charged we do not offer refunds unless we have someone on the Waiting List.

New Locations & Trips

Do you ever change the schedule?
CollegeTransit makes every effort to maintain posted schedules. However if situations necessitate a change, such as inclement weather, and the travel conditions become unsafe we will work with the bus company to modify the schedule as needed. This can mean a different departure time and worst case, a different day of departure.

What locations are served today?
Please visit our Pick-Up Locations page from the navigation menu to see both campuses and destinations along with their corresponding Google map to help provide directions.

Who owns and operates the bus?
CollegeTransit does not own or operate any of the vehicles, we serve as a travel agent. The primary bus company used for charter bus services is Chariots for Hire. They are one of the major charter bus companies in VA and are regularly inspected by FMCSA (The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration). We encourage potential customers to research Chariots for Hire using the FMCSA website or other federal safety websites. For the Charlotte Airport route we have used Academy and Abbott bus lines.

Can you make additional stops along the route?
We do not make “special drop-offs” along the way. We are sorry if we happen to be driving right past your house. Our drop-off locations are strategically selected to be centrally located and easily accessible to the greatest number of students possible along major highways.

Will you be expanding to new college campuses?
Expansion to new college campuses is always a possibility provided there is a need we can meet. If we do not feel we can offer value to the students and their families then we will not expand to a given location. If we feel we can make life easier for those families then we will try to work with the school, its Parent/Student Relations Office and any other student body organizations to determine if there is a “good fit”.

Are there additional trips being scheduled?
CollegeTransit’s standard trips are centered around student holidays when dorms close. Those tend to be Thanksgiving, Winter and Spring breaks. While we would love to increase the number of trips offered per year, the distances being traveled make it hard to justify that much travel time for such short vacations.

Guarantees

Privacy Policy
We value your privacy. Please view our Privacy Policy for complete details on how we use the information we collect.

Security
This website is protected with SSL (secure socket layer) encryption, the highest standard in Internet security. CollegeTransit LTD also uses PayPal’s Payment Gateway to provide the payment infrastructure and security necessary to ensure fast, reliable and secure transmission of transaction data.

A Confirmed Seat
When you book an available seat with CollegeTransit that seat is confirmed and the bus will run. Unlike other providers, when we have a confirmed bus and provide you a confirmed seat – that bus will run. We do not oversell seats nor cancel a bus due to low passenger interest.

When you register for a bus that is sold out (as noted on the site) you will be added to that waiting list. Or if a trip shows as “Pre-Order” you will be placed on a waiting list for it. In both scenarios, we only authorize your card and will NOT capture payment unless a seat can be guaranteed. You can cancel your waiting list / pre-order at any time prior to being guaranteed a seat.

Pricing and Billing

Is the price shown Round-Trip or One-Way?
CollegeTransit’s standard trip offering is round-trip. Therefore unless otherwise stated pricing is round-trip.

Did you charge me twice?
If you use credit card alerts, you should, then it is possible you will see two alerts from CollegeTransit for a single registration. The first is when your card is authorized, this is a validation step but it is not the actual charge. The second time would be once the registration is booked and the payment is captured.

I have a question on my charges.
Click Account Details > My Account link at the top right hand side of our site to review your orders. You may compare your order history on our website, with your financial records. If you have further questions or concerns, please contact customer service for further assistance.

I need a copy of my receipt/invoice.
Click Account Details > My Account link at the top right hand side of our site to print invoices.

When will my credit card be charged?
Your credit card will be charged as soon as your available seat is confirmed.

Site Guide

How do I know if seats are available?
When you select a trip on the site to view you will see it either as available, available with a number of less than 10 seats or that it is sold out and you should join the waiting list.

How do I find my trip?
To find the trip(s) you’re looking for, you may (1) use the navigation menu on the top of our website to start with your school and then select the trip you are looking for; or (2) Select it from the right hand side of the screen. If you have any trouble locating a trip, feel free to contact customer service using our on-site chat feature.