Classic Coach Companies

.	.
HAMPTON LUXURY LINER MEDIA COVERAGE *LI Business News* Article *to27* Article Newsday Article 27 East Article East Hampton Star Article *Bus & Motorcoach News* *Business Week* Article

.
As printed in Long Island Business News — http://libn.com

For Hamptons shuttles, luxury drives the bus
by Ambrose Clancy
Published: May 14, 2009

If you want to hop a bus from the Hamptons to New York City and back, you have the choice of going luxe or a little lighter on your wallet. In a down economy it’s a question of whether you’ll have much company en route.

On one side is Hampton Luxury Liner – recently acquired by Bohemia-based Classic Coach – which positions itself as the first-class way to go. They’re competing with the more established and less expensive Hampton Jitney.

Michael Schoolman, vice president of marketing for Classic Coach

Classic Coach, which runs charters and has Atlantic City routes to and from the Island, will retain the Hampton Luxury Liner name for the Hamptons/NYC service, said Michael Schoolman, vice president of marketing. The economy notwithstanding, Schoolman is also promising an even more luxurious service than currently available.

He wouldn’t say what Classic Coach paid for Hampton Luxury Liner, which has been running the route for nine years, but did say they had spent about $3 million for a fleet of new buses. The company was purchased essentially for its brand and a database of customers, he added.

A round trip on the Hampton Luxury Liner is $69 as opposed to $53 for the Hampton Jitney. Both companies have reduced rates if tickets are bought in 10- or 12-ticket bundles.

Asked if buying a luxury bus service with a port of call in a resort during a recession and upgrading the fleet was good timing, Schoolman’s answer was a firm “yes.”

“Over the years Hampton Luxury has developed a great brand with a very loyal customer base,” Schoolman said.

Loyal or not, there’s still a question of what the summer will bring for the Hamptons as a seaside rental resort as well as a tourist destination. Diane Saatchi, vice president of Easthampton-based real estate firm The Corcoran Group said 2008 summer rentals were off about 20 percent in dollar terms from the boom years of 2005 though 2007.

“This year summer rentals could be off up to 40 percent in dollar terms over last year,” Saatchi said. “But it won’t be off that much in the sense of crowds.”

The same numbers of people will be kicking back in the Hamptons, but will be renting smaller houses, sharing houses or spending less time rather than a full season, she added.

As for daytrippers or weekenders heading to the East End, Moke McGowan, president of the Long Island Convention & Visitor’s Bureau, said tourism is lagging behind last year’s pace as Memorial Day approaches.

“I think we’ll do OK, but nothing stellar this year,” McGowan said.

Some good news for the bus companies bringing vacationers out to the Hamptons is that 65 percent of people who travel two or more times a year are still planning summer vacations, according to the Travel Industry of America, and they’re not traveling as far for their holidays. This means people in the region will still go east to vacation, McGowan said.

Schoolman believes the new buses are an ace in the hole to attract ridership while holding onto long-time customers. The new coaches provide free wireless Internet service, satellite TV, complimentary snacks, carpeted floors and 44 leather seats rather than the standard 55, which will provide more legroom.

“We feel it’s now the most luxurious motor coach fleet in America,” Schoolman said.

Hampton Jitney would dispute that. Besides its standard service, they have “Ambassador Class,” said Andrew Lynch, vice president. The buses seat 30, have Wi-Fi and an attendant on board. A round-trip ticket for the Ambassador Class costs $65.

Lynch said the upgraded service provided by Hampton Luxury Liner is not a cause for alarm. “We’ve always had competition for the 35 years we’ve been in business,” he said. “We’re good at competing, and it’s good for the customer because it keeps everyone sharp.”