Megabus is riding high with new double-decker coaches and lots of new passengers thanks to $4-a-gallon gas. But is service on the super cheap bus up to snuff? Sort of!
One recent Megabus rider wasn't looking forward to her trip. Said an Ohio University student:
No one wants to take the bus, but driving and flying are so expensive.
Why wouldn't anyone want to roll Megabus style? Probably because of what another rider experienced:
The scene on 31st Street was TOTAL CHAOS. People lined up on the sidewalk for different destinations. We left about half an hour late, but smooth sailing the rest of the way, and I sat up front with no one next to me. The bus driver had NEVER driven to Boston before, so I had to help him out.
Super-cheap coach line Megabus may not be as slick as BoltBus, but the company's about to introduce something pretty cool.
Megabus says they'll be the first outfit to offer double-decker rides between Boston and New York; the service is scheduled to start sometime in the next four months. As it turns out, folks in the Midwest have already tried the two-teired coaches. A St. Louis Post-Dispatch reporter gave one a go in late May:
Except for a few bug splatters, my front row seat on the upper level of the double-decker Megabus gave me a sweeping view of the Missouri countryside. The guy sitting across from me, Dick Williams, agreed: "You get the panoramic view--it's the best seat in a thunderstorm."
It's been a rough month for Greyhound. The bus line has been hit with multiple accidents, stranded passengers and money problems. Meanwhile, Greyhound CEO David Leach says that his company is going to be A-OK despite a plunging stock price and rising fuel costs--because the recession is a good thing for bus travel. Leach also thinks Greyhound has nothing to worry about despite rising competition from low cost rivals because he's got a "secret" new marketing strategy.
We've covered BoltBus, MegaBus, and even the new NeOn, but never before have we been fortunate enough to get a full-on review of what really matters. Thankfully, word of all these cheap buses has spread across the pond, and the UK Times reveals the beauty that is the BoltBus lavatory:
I step inside the cubicle and shut the door. It's pitch black. I pat the walls, searching for the switch. Nothing. This'll be fun ... Suddenly, the door swings open and, as I turn to shut it again, I see a sign saying "Lock for light". I do, and am illuminated ... Aaaah, that's better. The bus lurches and I pee on my shoes.
There's no sink, but there is a dispenser of waterless detergent, the kind you get in hospitals, which feels strangely tingly on my hands. As that's the only nod to hygiene, though, and it's not bolted down, it might be an idea to pack some wet-wipes.
If you're up for this type of adventure, then BoltBus is clearly for you. Coaches now stop in New York, Washington, Boston and Philadelphia. Just remember to hit up the loo before you hop on.
You know about Megabus. You know about BoltBus. But now Greyhound wants a piece of the $1 promo fare action, too. And not content to just offer short hops for a buck, the bus company is selling tickets between Toronto and New York for as little as $1 each way. Crazy.
We know what you're thinking: I wouldn't spend nine minutes on a Greyhound bus, let alone nine hours. But these special NeOn coaches will be tricked out with video entertainment, power plugs and free WiFi. One would hope the bus bathrooms will be working, too.
Obviously, this is a promotional price, though from May 22-25 every seat is going for $1. If you book in a hurry, you'll still be able to lock in fares as low as a buck for departures later this summer.
Already spent your entire economic stimulus check in Vegas? In 12 hours? Try San Diego. It offers beautiful beaches, wonderful weather and the local tourism board has just released a list of 50 great things to do this summer without breaking the bank.
No shirt, no shoes, no surfboard? No problem at this year's World Body Surfing Championships. Held August 23-24, the best of the best in body surfing take to the waves and put on a show. Just make sure you bring some binoculars so you can alert the competitors if any finned friends make an unwanted appearance.
Come evening, you can check out the funky shops and cool restaurants of La Jolla. After you've spent your last dollar on dinner, enjoy a stroll along the sand to check out the local marine life, including sea lions, and then watch the sun sink into the mighty Pacific.
The much-hyped BoltBus starts its Boston service tomorrow, and in advance of the debut, the Boston Globe has a lengthy story about what makes the cheapo bus line worth riding.
BoltBus said it got the idea of offering at least one seat per bus for a buck from Skybus, which priced at least 10 seats per plane for $10 until it went bankrupt and shut down this month. BoltBus doesn't view Skybus's demise as a warning...All 51 seats on all 12 daily buses scheduled through Sunday will cost $1 each, plus a 50 cent online booking fee.
Though the tickets are cheap, the service isn't, says BoltBus honcho David Hall. The company's flashy coaches feature an on-board safety video and toilets that actually flush with "blue swirly chemicals" and boarding is handled Southwest Airlines-style in groups.
Earlier this month, Boltbusannounced its WiFi-enabled bus service from DC to NYC to Boston, promising fares as low as a dollar. But since there are so many cheapskates and college kids in all three of those cities, Megabus wants a piece of that action, too.
The primarily Midwestern bus line will fire up service between Boston and New York sometime before June. Like its competitor's, Megabus tickets start at $1 and escalate in price as your departure date approaches--and as seats sell out.
Of course, the one thing Megabus won't offer is plugs at every seat and wireless Internet. Still, you gotta love fare wars that'll have you getting four-hour rides for a single.
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