Martz Travel

Located at 239 Old River Road in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, Martz Travel operates as the full-service travel agency and charter division of the historic Martz Group. With a legacy stretching back to 1908, this fifth-generation family-owned company has evolved from a single flatbed truck transporting local miners into a comprehensive transportation and travel provider. While many associate the Martz name with its scheduled bus routes, Martz Travel focuses specifically on curated trips, group travel, and private charters, offering a distinct set of services for those seeking planned excursions.

A Legacy of Experience and Modern Equipment

One of the most significant assets of Martz Travel is the century-plus experience of its parent company, the Martz Group. This long history in the transportation industry suggests a deep understanding of logistics, safety, and customer service. Early customer feedback, though dated, points toward a reputation for "premium service at a fair price." Reviewers have highlighted the company's modern equipment and the support system in place to ensure travelers reach their destinations smoothly. This is a critical factor for anyone planning group outings, where reliability is paramount.

The company's fleet, a cornerstone of its operations, supports this reputation. Martz offers a variety of vehicles to suit different group sizes, including full-size motorcoaches (seating up to 58 passengers), mini-coaches (for groups of 30-36), and smaller sprinter vans. These vehicles are equipped with amenities that are now standard expectations for comfortable travel, such as:

• Onboard restrooms
• Wi-Fi and 110V power outlets with USB ports
• Reclining seats with footrests
• DVD players with flat-screen monitors
• Climate control and individual reading lights
• Wheelchair accessibility

This commitment to a modern and well-equipped fleet is a substantial advantage, ensuring passenger comfort and convenience, whether on a short day trip or a multi-day tour. For a tour operator, the quality of the transportation is a direct reflection of the overall quality of the experience offered.

Services Focused on Group and Charter Travel

Martz Travel has carved out a niche by specializing in organized travel, moving beyond simple point-to-point transportation. Their core offerings are centered around making travel easy and accessible for groups of all kinds.

Charter Bus Services

The company is frequently cited as a "great place to charter." This service is the backbone of their business, catering to a wide array of clients. Their charter bus services are ideal for schools, corporate outings, sports teams, church groups, weddings, and family reunions. The process involves renting an entire vehicle and a professional driver for a specific itinerary. This provides groups with flexibility and control over their schedule, a key benefit compared to public transport. A recent review from July 2024 praised a charter experience for an elementary school, highlighting the driver's professionalism, kindness, and communication as the best they'd had in 20 years. This fresh feedback provides a powerful testament to their current service quality in the charter division.

Pre-Planned Tours and Vacation Packages

For those who prefer not to handle the details, Martz Travel designs and executes a variety of pre-planned bus tours. These range from single-day excursions to popular destinations like New York City for a Broadway show or a holiday lights tour, to multi-day trips to places like Myrtle Beach or New Orleans. These packages typically include transportation, accommodations, and sometimes tickets to attractions or events, simplifying the entire travel process. This service positions them as a hands-on tour operator, ideal for travelers who value convenience and expertly planned custom itineraries. They actively promote multi-generational travel, designing trips that appeal to families traveling with parents and grandparents.

The Customer Experience: Strengths and Weaknesses

The Positives

Professionalism and Safety: The Martz Group emphasizes its mission to provide safe, reliable, and courteous service. Their drivers are professionally trained and certified, and the vehicles are equipped with GPS for navigation and communication. This focus on safety is a crucial consideration for anyone entrusting a group, especially children or employees, to a transportation provider.

Value Proposition: The combination of high-quality, modern vehicles and professional service at what has been described as a "fair price" creates a strong value proposition. For organizations and groups working within a budget, finding affordable travel packages without sacrificing comfort or reliability is a major advantage.

Deep-Rooted Community Presence: Having been headquartered in Wilkes-Barre for over a century, the company is a well-established local institution. This long-standing presence often translates to a reliable and known entity for local schools, businesses, and community groups seeking travel services.

Points to Consider

Limited Online Reviews: A significant drawback for a potential customer researching Martz Travel is the scarcity of recent, easily accessible online reviews specifically for their travel agency and charter services. While a few glowing reviews exist, the overall volume is low. Much of the online feedback for the "Martz" brand is tied to its scheduled Trailways bus line, which serves a different function and customer base (commuters, individual travelers) and often receives mixed reviews typical of any public bus service. This can make it difficult for a prospective client to gauge the current, day-to-day quality of the charter and tour experience without making direct contact.

Lack of BBB Accreditation: According to the Better Business Bureau's profile, the Martz Group is not BBB accredited, although it holds an A+ rating. For some customers, BBB accreditation is a factor in their decision-making process, so its absence is worth noting.

Clarity on Individual Services: While the company excels at group travel, individuals looking for assistance from travel consultants for personal vacation packages (like cruises or all-inclusive resorts) may find less information available. The primary marketing and operational focus appears to be on their own bus-centric tours and private charters.

Conclusion

Martz Travel stands as a formidable player in the Northeastern Pennsylvania travel market, particularly for anyone in need of group travel planning or charter bus services. Its strengths are deeply rooted in the history, experience, and extensive modern fleet of its parent company, the Martz Group. The positive feedback regarding professional service and high-quality equipment, including a very positive recent charter review, suggests a continued commitment to excellence. However, the lack of a substantial body of recent, public-facing reviews specific to its travel agency services means potential customers may need to be more proactive. Reaching out directly for quotes, references, and detailed information on their corporate travel or group tour offerings would be a prudent step. For groups prioritizing safety, reliability, and the comfort of a modern motorcoach, Martz Travel presents a very compelling and historically grounded option.