Frequently Asked Questions

Samson Tours is a private, veteran-owned transportation provider located in Atlanta, GA. We have been in business for over 35 years. The company began as a small niche transportation provider for community groups and has grown from one bus in 1983 to over 70 buses in 2018.

Yes, we have solid relationships with the associations listed at the bottom of the page. Affiliation with a professional travel association is an important sign that a business is committed to staying current on the industry’s best practices and technologies. Remember to look for an association logo to identify reputable and reliable motor coach operators.

All of Samson Tours’ motor coaches are late-model vehicles from MCI or Volvo. Our mini-coaches are built by well-known and reputable body manufacturers on either a Freightliner or Ford chassis. All of our coaches are equipped with a wide range of available amenities. Please see our fleet information above or ask your representative for details.

Samson Tours’ school buses are Blue Bird or Thomas built, two more well-known and reputable firms. Our school buses are equipped with the latest safety equipment and are annually inspected by the Department of Education, and by our maintenance team on a monthly basis, for complete compliance with all regulated safety guidelines.

Equipment is a key consideration when planning a trip. Newer (not more than 12 years old) and properly maintained equipment means fewer problems. You can trust that your coach or bus will arrive clean, fresh, and ready to roll.

Yes. Our Federal and State Operating Authority can be found on all of our quotations and invoices. Legally operating motor coach companies require Federal Operating Authority issued by the U.S. Department of Transportation, or Transport Canada, if they will be crossing state or provincial lines. Any passenger transportation company should be able to provide proof of that authority. This ensures that they meet all Federal requirements, including mandated insurance limits.

All of Samson Tours’ drivers undergo pre-employment drug screening and background checks and, once hired, we keep a current Department of Transportation driver’s file, commercial driver’s license, DOT physical examination, and an approved Medical Examiner’s Card. All U.S. drivers are required to have a valid, current Driver Standards/Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) with a “passenger” endorsement. Samson Tours performs random drug screening throughout the year on all of its drivers. Our school bus drivers receive additional screening as required by the Georgia Department of Education.

Samson Tours vehicles are maintained by licensed mechanics in our full-service maintenance facility in Atlanta, GA. We believe that performing maintenance in-house allows for more quality control. For warranty work and larger jobs, we have relationships with all major bus builders to ensure that repairs are up to the highest of manufacturer standards. Our fleet is regularly scheduled for preventive maintenance and inspected by our technicians at least monthly. We also require our drivers to perform pre-trip and post-trip inspections to ensure all vehicle functions are operating properly. Annual inspections are documented for all fleet vehicles. The Department of Transportation and the Department of Defense perform regular inspections and the Department of Education inspects our school bus fleet annually to ensure that Samson Tours’ fleet, as it has since our beginning, retains a “Satisfactory” rating, the highest rating available. It’s important to make sure that any transportation provider you choose performs routine service and maintenance checks to avoid unwanted delays while on the road.

The bus industry represents the safest mode of transportation on the road, with approximately 40,000 motor coaches operating in North America. Safety is a top priority for all. The motor coach industry is proud of its safety record, and wants you, the passenger, to know that choosing Samson Tours means choosing safe travel.

When checking out our competitors, make sure to ask about their safety record and maintenance practices. You can view carriers’ safety ratings online at www.safer.fmcsa.dot.gov (Never charter from a company with an “Unsatisfactory” rating). Samson Tours continues to hold the highest possible rating with both the Department of Transportation and the Department of Defense.

Ask for proof of a valid, current insurance certificate that provides a minimum, in the United States, of $5 million in liability coverage insurance. We would be pleased to provide you with a copy of our Certificate of Insurance at the time of booking.