# Should we use a transport vendor or buy our own buses?

**Short answer:** A vendor avoids capital, drivers and backup worries.

Owning buses gives full control, but the company must buy them, employ and manage drivers, maintain and insure the vehicles, keep permits and papers valid, and arrange a backup when one breaks down. A transport vendor takes all of that on: you pay for use on a monthly contract, the vendor employs the drivers, keeps the papers and sends a replacement vehicle. Many companies use a vendor for most routes and keep a few vehicles of their own.

- Source page: https://www.shivshaktitoursandtravels.in/answers/shift-transport/transport-vendor-or-own-buses/
- Answered by: Vaibhaviba Bhavsinh Solanki, owner of Shiv Shakti Tours & Travels
- Last checked: 30 October 2026
- Book or ask: call or WhatsApp +91 99745 30788 (24/7)

## Key facts: vendor or own buses

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Capital | Vendor: none · Own: buy the vehicles |
| Drivers | Vendor: employed by the vendor · Own: your staff |
| Maintenance and insurance | Vendor: included · Own: your cost |
| Backup | Vendor: sends a replacement · Own: you arrange it |
| Flexibility | Vendor: add or reduce vehicles · Own: fixed fleet |

## Can we mix both?

Yes: own vehicles for a core route and vendor vehicles for the rest or for peaks.

## A fuller comparison?

Our vendor files compare a vendor, an own fleet and app cabs line by line.

See the vendor file (https://www.shivshaktitoursandtravels.in/transport-vendor/employee-transport-for-manufacturing-plants.html).

## How do we try a vendor?

Start with a pilot route.

See trial period (https://www.shivshaktitoursandtravels.in/answers/corporate-accounts/trial-period-before-a-contract/).

## Follow-up questions

**Is a vendor more expensive?** Compare the full cost of owning: drivers, maintenance, insurance, permits and backups.

**Who is responsible for drivers?** The vendor.

**Can we inspect vendor vehicles?** Yes.

**Can the vendor take over our routes?** Yes, after a route plan.

## About this answer

Shiv Shakti Tours & Travels is a GST- and MSME-registered taxi and car rental company in business since 2018, rated 4.9 on Google. Branch: Hansalpur Circle, Becharaji, near the SMG (Maruti Suzuki) plant, Gujarat 384210. Head office: B-50, First Floor, Jay Bhanu Society, Gate No. 2, Ghatlodiya, Ahmedabad 380061. Open 24/7 on +91 99745 30788. Not connected with other businesses of the same name elsewhere in India.

Sources: Owner-confirmed facts, 30 October 2026: pricing models, fixed rates for the term, uniforms, ID cards, company name on vehicles, boarding lists; and the 9 October 2026 company questionnaires. · Terms and conditions (https://www.shivshaktitoursandtravels.in/terms-and-conditions.html): published rates and terms.