When asked how the inauguration of Barack Obama has impacted business at Bill Rohrbaugh's Charter Service in Manchester, charter bus sales manager Lori Parr has a quick reply.

"It's been nuts," she says with a nervous laugh.

Parr says that as soon as Obama was elected back in early November, the charter bus company was "bombarded" with requests.

As of last week, all of Rohrbaugh's buses were spoken for next week's Inauguration Day service.

Parr said the Maryland National Guard chartered eight of the company's buses. Those buses will transport the guard's band, along with other members who will work security.

Strawbridge United Methodist Church in New Windsor chartered two Rohrbaugh's buses and Parr says three or four other church groups in the greater Baltimore area have also reserved coaches.

Rohrbaugh's has even received requests for a number of individuals in search of a ride.

"I actually had a lady from Texas call me last week, looking for two bus seats," Parr said. "Apparently she just decided last week down in Texas that she wants to go to the inauguration."

Even so, Parr said the Inauguration Day frenzy has subsided just a little in the past couple weeks. From what she's heard, as the day approaches, more people get cold feet about the possibility of standing for hours in frigid weather along the parade route. Others express concerns about possible security issues or the sheer magnitude of the crowds.

As a result, one organization that chartered two buses put in a cancellation for one of them late last week. But Parr is confident that come Jan. 20, that bus will also be spoken for, since other charter companies are coming up short on buses.

Parr said later next week, Rohrbaugh's will also be taking several busloads of passengers to Washington, D.C. again -- this time for a massive demonstration marking the 36th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court's Roe vs. Wade ruling on abortion rights.

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