Author: Monica Herald

With COVID-19 cases climbing across the United States and other countries, it is certainly clear that fun social distancing ideas are here to stay. During the winter season, with less sunlight and the dreary cold, it is even more important than ever to remember to stay connected.

Summer, with its warmer temperatures, offered more options for socially distant ideas and activities. Hunkering down to beat both the pandemic and the winter blues may offer a bit more of a challenge. But! Nearly nine months into the global pandemic, it’s even more critical than before that we stay connected to stave off loneliness, burnout, and depression. Here are ten different ways to help you stay connected during those long winter months! Some are virtual social event ideas, while others are fun social distancing ideas for in person alternatives. Mix it up, and you’ll have plenty to keep you company over the next few months. 

1. Virtual Trivia Nights 

Just because we can’t go to the pub and compete in our weekly or monthly trivia games doesn’t mean that we have to stop exercising our brains! Maybe your favorite trivia master is no longer hosting games. You can take matters into your own hands and offer a virtual trivia night with your friends and coworkers!

The internet offers endless options for creating trivia: build your own with something like Kahoot or Quiz Witz or make use of a game like Jackbox. Regardless, the evening will be fun! Step it up a notch and send out pub kits to participants, with prepackaged snacks like nuts or chips! If all else fails, create your own Jeopardy or Wheel of Fortune version and make like Alex Trebek or Pat Sajak. 

2. Virtual Happy Hours

At this point, virtual happy hours are the standard. How many of y’all have been to a virtual happy hour since COVID started? I’ve lost count of how many I’ve been invited to. One of my friends actually calls them Quaranteams. 

Are you bored of the regular happy hours? Turn them into themed virtual happy hours: pick a movie, a book, a color, a time period, and have everyone fix drinks that fit into the theme. Or, do a wine tasting or beer tasting virtual happy hour and rate the drinks, then compare notes! 

3. Virtual Arts and Crafts Nights 

Arts and crafts can make for a really fun virtual social event. Ideas about what types of art or craft to make can provide weeks of conversation leading up to the event. Maybe each person brings their own craft to make. Or, if you have an especially crafty group of friends, you can each send kits to each other, and then each month, there’s a different group craft to make. If you want to get fancy, turn it into a couples date night, with a paint and sip kit from someone on Etsy or another maker. You’ll connect AND have something beautiful to remember the night. 

4. Heated Patios

The appeal to heated patios is that you’re outside. We all know that COVID-19 has higher incidence rates in areas that are unventilated. With the winter cold, houses and buildings that could open windows over the summer, need to keep them closed. Investing in an outdoor heater for your patio or deck could be just the fix to helping slow the spread. Just make sure that the heater radiates the heat so that you can still have six feet distance between yourself and your friends 

5. Drive-Ins

With the onset of COVID-19, drive-ins have quickly become a feature of our present, rather than a reminder of the 50s and 60s. If you’re really itching to get out of your house, consider making plans with friends to go to a drive-in. 

Sure, you’ll want to stay in your cars and only speak through open windows, but at least you’ll be able to see their faces in person. There are lots of fun social distancing ideas when it comes to outdoors, but this is definitely one of my favorites. 

6. Winter Camping/Cabins

Maybe you’re looking for something a bit more adventurous during the winter. If so, head to a cabin in the woods (ideally with a wood stove), and folks from your quarantine pod. Taking time to enjoy the outdoors, and make some hot cocoa might be exactly what you need to fill up your inner reserves. For a weekend or a week, you can forget that COVID-19 is still ravaging the world. Winter camping also is ideal if you love to hike and build fires. Some of the most beautiful scenes I’ve seen have involved ice 

7. Watch a movie together while on Zoom / FaceTime 

While there are many online tools that allow you to watch a movie as a group, my favorite go to is the standby of FaceTime or Zoom. I love it because I can pull that up on my device, and then watch the movie from my television. When we all do that, it’s almost like we’re hanging out together in person because we can still chat and hear comments. The trickiest part is synching up the sound, but I’ve become a pro at it. 

8. Virtual Baking 

A couple years ago, my family decided to do our holiday cookie baking over Zoom. We picked a day where everyone was free, and then all made 8-12 dozen cookies while video chatting. It was tons of fun to visit with everyone, plus there was a yummy treat for afterwards. If you’re a fan of The British Bakeoff, consider a challenge for everyone— cinnamon buns, or the perfect chocolate chip cookie— as your focus! 

9. Virtual Charades 

A Google search will return many different results that describe variations of how to play charades. Whether you do classic charades with “sounds like” and “short word” symbols, or you do a version that’s more akin to the names in a bowl written on a piece of paper, this fun virtual activity has the potential to leave you all gasping with laughter. 

10. Scavenger Hunt: Home Edition 

Lastly, if you’re looking to get some movement into your socially distanced (and virtual) event, consider a scavenger hunt at your homes. Think of the wackiest items that may or may not live around your house. Remember the days when there was a toilet paper shortage, anyone? This can be a good way to get folks thinking creatively about their surroundings, as well. 

As you’re planning your fun socially distanced event, remember that you can mix and match any of the ideas above, especially the virtual ones. Host a happy hour AND virtual charades. Do some virtual baking or cooking and then watch a movie together. With so many combinations, something’s bound to be fun and just perfect for your group. Most importantly, stay connected and make it as playful as possible. 

Nowadays, cars and vehicles often come equipped with televisions or even WiFi. With our cell phones in our pockets, it can be hard to imagine being on a bus ride without any electronics at all. But it does happen! 

In fact, there are still long stretches of rural (or remote) roads where there aren’t cellular towers. Often, camps and schools restrict electronic use during events. Or, perhaps you’re participating in a retreat to disconnect from technology and decompress. 

Whatever the reason, it can be a bit of a shock to end up without any electronics, especially on a long bus ride. So, without further ado, here is a list of 10 things to do on a long bus ride without electronics

Nap 

There’s something about the lull of a long bus ride that makes it so perfect for falling asleep. Jackets can be turned into pillows, and you can prepare for the retreat or event you’re en route to so that you arrive refreshed. So often we try to work on bus rides — why not just relax instead and recharge? 

Road Trip Bingo 

Although this activity requires a little bit of preparation, it can really pay off in the end. You’ll need to think about common things you might see on your road trip. Are you traveling through a specific city? Maybe there are well-known historical landmarks your group will pass.

It can be fun to add obscure items to the bingo cards too: purple cars, a broken tree branch, and so forth. The sky is really the limit when it comes to what you want to include on the bingo card. At the end, you can even give participants prizes— who filled their card first, who got four corners, who got the first bingo, and so on. 

Write 

There are so many things to write about when you’re on a long bus ride and don’t have any electronics! You can provide prompts for your participants, if you want to offer structure. Or, consider just journaling about what is passing along on the road outside. The bus time could also be used to do a writing activity that’s preparation for what comes later, whether it’s a field trip, a retreat, or a team building activity. 

Word Searches/Crosswords/Puzzle Books

Do you remember when these used to be sold in all of the Borders and indie booksellers— sometimes, grocery stores even had these books. Well, have no fear. They still exist! You just have to look a little harder for them. If you’re a teacher or a youth pastor, consider investing in one book and photocopying activities for your participants. Sudoku, anyone? 

Knit or Crochet

Another standard travel option, knitting or crocheting can keep your hands busy while you enjoy conversation during your long bus ride. Whether you use a hook, knitting needles, or pick another textile craft, like cross stitch, this is sure to keep you occupied. The best part? You may finally get to finish that scarf you started three years ago for your sister. 

Twenty Questions

The classic game, “Twenty Questions” can easily be adapted if you’re trying to think of bus games for adults. Although most of us haven’t played it in years, if you pick themes, it could be ideal for a group of adults. Think about what type of trip you’re on. Is it a business trip? Maybe play Twenty Questions that are all tied to something in your industry. The key to Twenty Questions is that all questions have to have yes/no answers. Twenty might seem like a lot to have, but you’ll find that it goes much quicker than you’d have imagined! 

Ghost in the Graveyard

Ghost in the Graveyard is perfect if you’re trying to plan what to do on a long bus trip with lots of elementary-age children. I like to think it was invented by a mother, somewhere, who wanted some peace and quiet. The game begins with a rousing chorus: “Ghost in the graveyard boo hoo. Who did it come from, from you!” On the final “you”, everyone has to freeze. One person gets to be the ghost and they watch all of the other players to see who moves. If a player moves, they’re out and have to stay quiet until the round finishes. At the end, whoever’s left frozen gets to be the next ghost!

The “License Plate” Game

Perhaps the original item on the things to do on a long “bus ride without electronics” list, the license plate game has been around since before portable electronics like the iPhone or iPod existed! How quickly can your group find all of the license plates? It’s simple enough to keep track: you can either use a preprinted sheet or you can just make a list with paper and pen. 

Another variation of this game is to turn it into a competition and see who can get to all of the license plates first. In my experience the group version is more fun, but it all depends on who’s along on the bus ride.  

I Spy With My Little Eye…

This is a great game to play if you’re stuck in traffic on your long bus ride. If your shuttle or bus is moving along quickly and you decide to play, be certain to set rules about where can and can’t be included. It’s no fun if you’ve already passed the I spy item! If you’re concerned about people picking things that are too hard to find, consider setting a time limit for the guessers (x number of guesses, or x minutes to guess it).

Read

For me, reading is the perfect long bus ride activity. I like to bring a couple different books — maybe an easy fun mystery as well as something that requires a bit more brain power. That way, I have something to read no matter what my mood. There’s something quintessential about settling into a window, head tucked into a book. Plus, a book can be a great conversation starter with your fellow passengers! 

So there you have it: 10 things to do on a long bus ride without electronics! Next time you find yourself without WiFi or en route to disconnect from technology, keep in mind the ten things listed above. You’ll find that the time flies by even faster than you could’ve imagined.

Although the hot days of summer are behind us — and as a result prime road tripping time is behind us too — fall is still a perfect time for hitting the road. With many employees continuing to work from home and many schools offering remote learning, the time seems right. What better way to explore fall foliage and add a bit of brightness to otherwise drab days, more than six months into a global pandemic?

But how to road trip safely, with COVID-19 still running rampant, especially throughout the United States? Here are ten considerations to take, if you want to plan a road trip right now and stay as safe as possible!

How to Safely Hit the Road: 10 Tips for a Safe Road Trip During COVID

1. Pack a COVID Toolkit

If you’re a road trip veteran, you know that it’s best to travel with a first aid kit, and perhaps some basics like wiper fluid, engine oil, and a spare tire. The approach with this COVID safety toolkit is similar! You should bring along with you everything you could possibly need as far as sanitization.
Here’s a list to get you started:

• Hand sanitizer
• Extra masks
• Disposable gloves
• Disinfectant wipes
• Tissues/paper towels
• Sealable plastic bags

Bring enough that you won’t need to buy more along the way and you won’t be stuck if you lose the fashionable cloth mask you ordered from your sister’s mother-in-law.

2. Consider a Day Trip

A day trip allows you to make use of what’s arguably the best part of road trips: driving on an open road and taking in the scenery. Are there any places where you can drive to a natural park or perhaps along a shoreline? Mountains are my favorite for this type of excursion.

A few months back, after not driving for three months, I took my car and just drove along an old highway. Since it’s not in too much use anymore, I was able to really enjoy the trees and the scenery.

3. Consider a “Pod” Road Trip

If you’re going to be spending significant amounts of time in a car, you should probably do so either a) with people who live in your household, or b) with folks who’ve been in your quarantine pod from the start. If you need to use the air or the heat, you don’t want to be breathing recycled air from folks who may’ve been exposed in their other circles.

4. Stay Outdoors as Much as Possible

Campgrounds are still open for another six weeks in many places, and even longer in others. If you’re going to be heading somewhere outdoors, think about places that are off the beaten track and not standard destinations. Your chances of encountering fewer people will increase if you select an obscure location.

5. Research, Research, Research

Research your destination. Pick somewhere that’s not experiencing a surge in cases. You definitely don’t want to increase your exposure by going somewhere that cases are on the rise.

It’s important also, to understand the regulations where you’re headed. For example, is quarantine required if you enter the state? Each state, and sometimes even county and city, have their own regulations, so you’ll want to be diligent about this research.

6. BYOS: Bring Your Own Snacks

Snacks, aside from music and scenery, are the best part of a road trip. Bring your own so you can minimize interactions with other people. Some good road trip snacks include: carrots and celery, grapes and apples, beef jerky, sunflower seeds, nuts, and cheese and crackers. Bring along plenty of drinks as well, both water and other soft drinks as you prefer!

7. Enter Rest Stops and Gas Stops Prepared

What to do when you have rest stops and gas stops? Use your toolkit! Put on the gloves to pump gas and pay at the gas pump to minimize interactions. If you must go inside to use the restroom, make sure that you’re wearing your mask and that if there’s a line, you distance from people in the line. Touch as few surfaces as possible, and use your foot to flush the toilet— no shame in stretching out those legs! All in all, your goal is to get in and out as quickly as possible with as few items touched as possible.

8. Call Ahead

It makes sense to call ahead to hotels, campsites, or places you’ll be staying: Find out what their cleaning processes are and the ways they are taking precautions for COVID-19. Consider bringing your own sheets and minimize time in common areas inside, such as the lobby and the elevator.

If you’re in a room with a tv, don’t touch the remote. Instead, use the gloves from your kit and place it into a sealable plastic bag. Remove the decorative pillows and bedding from your bed.Wipe down all the surfaces with your own disinfecting wipes. Finally, skip housecleaning: you don’t need to have more folks entering the room and bringing in other germs.

9. Have a “Sick Plan”

Make a plan for if you get sick while traveling. If you use medications, make sure to bring extra with you, in case you end up delayed. If you have other medical concerns, plan for those. Think about where you might stay, or how you might pay for the added expense. Hopefully with these precautions, it will be unnecessary, but better to be prepared!

10. Plan a trip for later

If after all of this, you end up deciding not to take a road trip just yet, you can always plan one! Half the fun of a road trip is making the plans for it and dreaming about what you’re going to see and do. Consider curating some playlists, getting a map and finding stops, or exploring potential locations for when the pandemic is over. You can have a Zoom date with fellow travelers and make a party of it.

If you’re considering a road trip with a medium size group, you might consider chartering a sprinter van or another midsize vehicle to cart around your group. With plenty of space for luggage and quick, easy quotes, Bus.com is here to help!

Most of us have ridden a bus at some point in our lives, whether it was as a young child on a yellow school bus, a teenager headed on a trip to a big city, or an adult, commuting to work on public transportation. And we can’t forget about their popularity with weddings. No matter their use, buses are great for people watching and allow you to travel without having to worry about the stress that comes along with driving. So, it’s time to learn more about these beloved vehicles — continue reading to learn six fun bus facts that you might not have known! 

Why do buses stop at railway tracks?

Have you ever been behind a bus when it stopped at railway tracks? If you have, you might’ve noticed that the window or door opened and the bus stopped. Did you ever wonder why the bus performed this action even if there wasn’t an oncoming train?

The reason is because it’s been the law since December 1, 1938. That day, there was a blizzard, and in Sandy, Utah, a bus driver had no visibility at a railroad crossing. He hadn’t seen a train in three years of driving, so he began to cross the tracks. However, a train coming from Denver had been running late because of the blizzard and there was a huge collision that resulted in 25 students and the driver perishing. Since then, the law has required drivers to stop, open the windows and the door, and listen for a train before crossing the tracks.

The Gran Arctic 300: the largest bus in the world

Located in Brazil, the biggest bus in the world is nearly 100 feet long! It holds 300 passengers, which is in part where it gets its name from. Volvo designed the bus specifically for Rio de Janiero’s bus lanes.

The bus is a biarticulated bus, which means that there are passenger carrying sections and then there are bendy connectors to each of these sections. One Gran Arctic 300 will replace three of the prior models. 

Volvo already has several models of articulated buses in Brazil, and they can seat 150,180, and 210 passengers. These buses only have a single bendy connector between two cabins. The hope is that the larger buses will help reduce pollution, traffic, and per passenger cost for drivers.  

The first bus dates back to 1662! 

When we think of buses, so often we think of modern times. But buses actually first existed in France, and they ate hay! The buses were horse-drawn carriages and could carry eight passengers at a time. Blaise Pascal, a famous mathematician and philosopher had tackled the problem of urban planning and public transportation. His approach was revolutionary: normally, it cost someone 140 sous to rent a carriage by the day. With the advent of the bus line, along first one route, and eventually five, passengers only paid 5 sous to ride.

 The bus system shut down in the 1690s, although its unclear why. The guess is that it wasn’t profitable any more, plus Pascal had passed away within months of the bus system opening. 

Why are school buses always yellow?

Have you always wondered why a school bus is yellow? Well, they weren’t always yellow. In fact, as late as the 1930s, some schools were still using horse-drawn carriages as buses!

 Frank Cyr had spent many years in rural education. In 1939, he convened a school bus conference to standardize school buses and consolidate resources. Standardization would allow for a uniform color and thereby greater recognition of buses, leading to more safety. It would also allow manufacturers to mass produce buses, which would lower costs for school districts. 

The participants at the conference originally settled on a yellow that they called “National School Bus Chrome,” however, that name was changed to “National School Bus Glossy Yellow” in the Federal Standards. It’s not law though, that buses must be yellow — it’s only recommended based on operational safety guidelines.

Why don’t buses have seatbelts? 

The standardized bus that Cyr and his colleagues came up with in 1939 is so safe that it’s only been updated once in the 70s, and that was mostly an adaptation of fuel tanks and to make buses wheelchair accessible. 

Different national organizations have different statistics, but they all agree: school buses are safer than any other vehicle out there. The inside of buses are designed with “compartmentalization” : seats are placed closely together and they are covered in energy-absorbing foam, so that if there is an accident, kids don’t go far. And in case of an accident, imagine how hard it would be to make sure that all those kids were buckled in! 

The word bus comes from the word omnibus 

Did you know that the word bus comes from the Latin word omnibus? Omnibus is the dative plural of omnis and it means “for all” or “containing two or more independent matters”. The inhabitants of Nantes, France, referred to the vehicle as an omnibus because one of the first coach stations was near a hat shop called “Omnes Omnibus”, owned by a Mr. Omnès. From there it was only a matter of time until the phrase was shortened to “bus”. They are still transportation for all, though, all these years later. 

Whether you’re looking for a safe and secure way to transport your group or interested in getting around town, Bus.com can help with all of your bus rental needs.

Travel, no matter how near or far you go, is a big part of our lives. It’s starting to resume now and we’re all excited to get on the path to normalcy. However, with the continued existence of COVID-19, it’s important to take some extra precautions to stay safe. Here are several things we can do to minimize our risk while we travel:

1. Travel in groups we know

Many of us formed “pandemic pods” during quarantine, and either traveling with those pods, or expanding our circle out, just a dash, can be much safer than flying on planes or using public transportation. For one thing, flights may require multiple connections, which will expose you to even more people and more germs. 

Traveling to your destination in a carpool with a small group of kindreds allows you more control over exposure risk. 

2. Research local regulations

Different cities and states have various mandates in place right now. And, as COVID cases continue to fluctuate, those regulations are constantly shifting. Here’s a great resource that updates state regulations regularly.  

3.  Try to keep your group as small as possible 

Keeping your travel group to a minimum will lessen the risk of cross-contamination. It also allows for easier contact tracing, if someone does end up with COVID-19.

4. On that note…consider a sprinter van

Sprinter vans are unique passenger vehicles that can fit up to 15 passengers. Known for their comfort and economical gas mileage, sprinter vans are an often-overlooked but nonetheless great option for traveling in large groups. Bus.com allows you to either rent sprinter vans that come with drivers, or to rent one to drive yourself. 

5. Pack your own food and sanitizer

Make sure to bring plenty of sanitizer, color-coordinated masks, and your own food. This allows you to protect yourself, even if the place you’re visiting doesn’t have as many precautions in place.

6. Wear a mask

Numerous studies have demonstrated that we are all safer from COVID-19 when we wear a mask. It’s especially important while traveling in an enclosed space. Feel like a mask’s stifling? Find one that matches your personal style. All the cool kids are doin’ it.

7. Avoid touching your face as much as possible

I like to touch my face as much as the next person. But try to avoid this. It spreads minuscule germs around. COVID needs contact and entry points like noses, eyes, ears, mouths. The mask is no good if you touch your face or move the germs around.

8. Avoid contact with others

As much as you might want to hug Auntie Marion or Cousin Darren, don’t. Hugs are canceled, as my friend likes to tell me. And if you’re not gonna hug those you love, why would you shake hands or clap on the shoulder, those you don’t even know? Keep your contact to a minimum and you’ll reduce your COVID-19 exposure as well.

9. Stay home if you are feeling ill

As much as we’re all chomping at the bit to hit the road and get out of our houses, it’s really important that we don’t leave home if we aren’t feeling well, or if we’ve been exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID-19. Your family, your friends, and anyone who you’d be exposing will all thank you.

10. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 40 seconds

You can find loads of articles with popular songs that can help you count to 40 seconds. Pick one or two, and sing them while you wash your hands.  

11. Send a list of recommendations in advance

This is a tip for event organizers. One week before the trip, send out a list of tips to all your participants. You might also want to make sure nobody’s been exposed to COVID-19, whether it be by sending out a health questionnaire or by taking everybody’s temperaure. 

12. Do your research

Know about where you’re headed. Make sure that there are no current outbreaks at your destination. Look into best practices wherever you’re staying and however you’re organizing transportation. Pick vendors who put your safety first.

What Bus.com is doing to keep customers safe:

• Hand sanitizers available on every bus
  We are providing hand sanitizers on every bus for customer use.
• Driver wearing mask and gloves
  Our drivers will all be wearing masks and gloves so that you both are protected.
• Driver getting out of the vehicle to let passengers in
  This will allow for minimal exposure in the enclosed space of a bus or a van. 

If we are all careful, we can keep COVID-19 cases from spiking, while still enriching our lives with travel.

Have you ever heard of a sprinter van? If the answer is no, you’re not alone. While this vehicle type has a lot to offer, it remains a well-kept secret for the most part. 

Sprinter vans first came on the scene in 1995 in Germany when Mercedes-Benz designed them to replace an older T1N van that hadn’t been redesigned since 1977. That same year, the sprinter van won the “International Van of the Year” award. 

A sprinter van comes in the following three different varieties:

• Cargo (non-passenger)
• Crew (passenger)
• Passenger

The passenger van can fit up to 15 people with four or five rows of seats, while the crew van has two rows of seats that fit up to six people. The rest of the room in the crew van is left open for items you need to transport.

As it becomes more important to minimize exposure to germs, sprinters are the perfect vehicle for group travel. Fewer passengers means fewer germs, and their size makes them ideal for economic travel. Here are some other fascinating attributes of the world’s most underrated van type: 

1. Sprinter vans are a favorite for camper conversions

The variety of sizes that sprinter vans come in makes them ideal for camper conversions. It’s been 25 years since sprinter vans were first introduced, which means that there are lots of them out there to look at if you’re purchasing one to convert.

Why would someone want to convert a sprinter van? The answers to this are easy to see: they’re super portable, they’re small (yet still capable of fitting your things), and they are economical. Camper conversion sprinter vans offer the perfect way to travel the country from the safety and security of your own “home on wheels.”

There are a couple of ways to get a sprinter van with a camper conversion, it all depends on your carpentry and design skills. If you, like me, have very few skills in that area, you might want to consider purchasing an already converted sprinter van.

 It’s pretty easy to find a variety of designs and layouts to meet your needs. Most have a modified sleeping area and they usually maximize the space as much as possible. You can get a sprinter van with a sink and two burners, or even a sprinter van with a mini fridge. 

Personal anecdote time: my friend built a camper conversion from a sprinter van and made a table where the top part of the table was removable for storage inside underneath the flat surface. Sprinter vans turned into camper vans are awesome if you are itching to hit the road.

2. Sprinter vans make great employee shuttles 

Sprinter vans are the perfect size if you’d like to offer an employee shuttle to your workers. Before COVID-19, nobody really liked using mass transportation and being shoved up against other people. Now, even more than before, your employees really don’t want to be cramped into public transport.

Choosing to provide employee shuttles offers you, the employer, many benefits. For one thing, the Federal Tax code provides tax benefits to employers who choose to offer a commuter benefits plan to their employees.

Additionally, a sprinter van is going to cost less than a minibus or a larger vehicle as a shuttle. If you are a smaller company, you’re probably interested in a more budget-friendly option. Sprinter vans would allow you to provide a coveted employee benefit while keeping your costs low. 

Another bonus to selecting a sprinter van for your employee shuttle program is that the vehicle reduces both your and your employees’ carbon footprint. What’s not to love about keeping your people safe while also doing good for the environment?

3. Sprinter vans are a smart option for travel in the time of COVID 

So much has changed in the world since January 2020. Who’d have guessed that six months into the year, there would still be regulations around wearing masks in public or keeping stores at 50% capacity if they are open? It truly seems as if the landscape of the world has been changed. As people resume traveling, staying in small groups may become the norm and preferred mode of transportation.

When you plan a trip, whether it’s for employee training or for a bachelorette party, a sprinter van might be a perfect option. If you have an A team and a B team for work schedules, you can transport them easily, in different vehicles. Same goes for transporting people from a church to the wedding venue.

Sprinter vans can help keep groups of folks happily and comfortably socially distanced. They’re cozy, comfortable, and most importantly, you can use them to keep people safely grouped. 

4. Sprinter vans are easy on the environment   

We all know that vehicle emissions can add to damaging the environment, especially if they are older vehicles or vehicles that output large amounts of emissions. 

Sprinter vans sidestep this problem easily. They meet the rigorous EU VI emissions standards and have even been awarded the top spot of the Green Van environmental ranking. Because Mercedes-Benz is committed to the environment, they even developed an electronic model that came onto the market in 2019. 

Whether the model you use is an electronic one or a standard one, you can rest assured that the sprinter van is taking less of a toll on the environment.

5. Thanks to their small size, sprinter vans can navigate narrow city streets 

When you’re headed to a museum or an event downtown, you don’t want to have to worry about parking or having a vehicle that requires slow angling to get down narrow, tight, one way roads. A sprinter van is the optimal choice for group transportation that is taking you to a city location. Some of those challenging maneuvers can eat up valuable time at your event that is better spent enjoying your trip. 

Sprinter vans sidestep this problem completely because they are so small and easy to handle.

This smallness also means that they’re very economical, and the latest sprinter vans demonstrate that economical doesn’t have to mean uncomfortable or that you scrimp on amenities.

 The versatility of sprinter van models means that sprinter vans allow you to travel and transport luggage or medium-sized items as needed. If you’re presenting at a conference, you can store your gear in the back. For some, this means that a sprinter van would be a better option over a minibus, which comes with no added storage.