The Bustonian, a cross between a club and a limousine, is perhaps the ultimate party bus.
At the very least, its owners hope it’s the ultimate business.
And it’s businesses that are increasingly catching the Bustonian these days.
“I tell people, if you’re looking for straight transportation, I’m not the best bet,” said co-owner Matt Robitaille. “But if you’re looking for something fun that people will be talking about at the water cooler the next day, then we’re it.”
The bus initially appealed to those throwing bachelor and bachelorette parties, as well as those looking to club hop. Through special deals with local bars, Bustonian riders can avoid lines and skip cover charges.
But increasingly, the company is attracting corporate clients looking for something unusual, Robitaille said.
Robitaille and partner Brian Napoleon got the idea for the business while on vacation in Aruba. The highlight of the week was a trip on a party bus that ferried tourists between the local watering holes.
They launched the business four years ago with one vehicle - a school bus converted to fit a dance floor, with a groovy sound system.
Business has grown 100 percent each year as the company added a new bus every year. Work is already under way on a fifth bus.
Employees with Microbia, a Cambridge pharmaceutical company, enjoyed the ride in April. “We wanted something different,” said Rachel Cunningham Lyons, project coordinator.
The company hired two Bustonian vehicles to bring employees from Cambridge to the party in Waltham. It was not only fun, but also cheaper than other alternatives. At a cost of up to $200 an hour with a six-hour minimum, it’s less than the cost of a typical limo.
