ABOUT TCP-##-"Z"
SPECIALIZED (CONTRACT or INCIDENTAL) CARRIER OF PASSENGERS

Below is some general information including but not limited to the pricing mechanism of tour-bus as one of the charter services licensed to serve the public.. We may be able to shop and reserve Contract Carrier of Passengers for you for any occasion or event; and, we don't charge you anything for our services, but for the fare you pay for the transportation. Now, if you have the time, you may shop for yourself using the directory for your particular area or community. NOW........

Contract or Incidental Carrier of Passengers like tour-bus is a charter service, but one that does not hold itself out to serve the general public.
"Z" Permit: PUC §5384(a)
What a "Z" permit allows:
These are "specialized carriers", who do not hold themselves out to  serve the general public, but only:

  a) provide service under contract with industrial and business firms,
      governmental agencies, and private schools, OR
  b) transport agricultural workers to and from farms for compensation, OR
  c) conduct transportation services, which are incidental to another
      business.
          (However, note that if the
           transportation is incidental to either
           commercial balloon operations,
           commercial river rafting, or skiing, the
           appropriate authority is a TCP-"C"
           certificate, described in other pages),
           and
  d) may operate vehicles of any seating
      capacity, and
  e) may operate from any point to any point
      within California, but
  f) may not be transferred.

           As with any industry or business, the transportation industry has its share of "bandits" or "unlicensed individuals and corporations" posing as legitimate companies before an unsuspecting public. Contract Carrier of Passengers offered by "Bandit" operators are dangerous and must be avoided. Remember, Contract Carrier of Passengers is a pre-arranged charter service in which the customer is in control. You as a diligent customer must do your very best to always verify the authenticity of the license before using any TCP charter company; specialized or common carrier. So, before you engage the services of a contract carrier you may want to verify the license with the PUC: by calling 415-355-5547.

 REMEMBER, each Contract Carrier of Passengers offered and or taken is a prearrangement, between the Contract Carrier of Passengers provider and the customer, for a a duration of time or mileage for dollars (as in, $$ per hour) or on the basis of Mileage (as in, $$ per mile); and or as may be included in the charges for the primary business. They cannot quote or charge a fixed (flat) fare or charge or per person fare: but may be based on the size or seating capacity of the equipment. And, NOTE that each Contract is for the use of the whole vehicle by the one party who contracted the charter.

Ask the  CALIFORNIA PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION (PUC) - License Section ; or call the PUC at (415) 355-5547.  YOU ARE IN CONTROL as you pay for Time or Mileage. Anyone can use a tour-bus! They take you directly to your home or business or wherever you want within the state.
All tour-bus operators with the proper operating authority (license) know how to quote the fares (charges) based strictly as described above.  Any carrier that charges otherwise (Licensed or Not) is an illegal (or Bandit) operator; that is, an operator  operating beyond the scope of its authority, and a possible danger to the public. NOTE, if an operator ignores one rule he/she is more likely to ignore other safety (or pricing) rules. 

In California, "share-ride" Shuttles also known as Passenger Stage Corporations are licensed (granted a "certificate of public convenience and necessity (CPCN)") to operate at the public's convenience.  A shuttle operator is one has prepared and filed a formal Application, gone through the rigors of the application process and has been qualified or authorized by the California Public Utilities Commission to serve a specific route or operate between specific points.
          All Charter Party Carriers of Passengers (TCP) are required to post their License Number in a prescribed manner: TCP - # - letter designation of (A) or (B) or (P) or (Z), ...., etc, denoting the type of service the carrier is authorized to provide. Because TCP does not have specific service points or tariffs they can take you anywhere in the State and change their negotiable Rates at will prior to each service: terminate service under inhospitable situations.         
          For information about California TCP licenses, you may  contact the PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION (PUC) - License Section at (415) 703-2063.
          Regarding airport shuttle services, you may also call the airport's "Landside Operations Unit (the department that controls ground transportation at the airport)" of the respective airports for safety concerns they might have about any carrier that serves the airport. With shuttles, Safety and the proper application of the fares is always of concern: some carriers may risk passenger safety in traffic or operate uninsured equipment or use unqualified drivers, on the one hand, or charge fares not authorized in the Tariff, on the other hand.
          This webpage has been published to assist you and any member of the public learn more about shuttle services, find and reserve properly licensed shuttle services, and to encourage shuttle companies to operate properly and safely.
          WE encourage you to make your RESERVATION on this web site; we take care of all the arrangements and provision of proper service for you for no additional charge to you.  Remember, we help license some of the best companies that serve the public today: this company has been formed by a former regulator with public safety and fare market practices in mind.