- November 2009
- October 2009
- September 2009
- August 2009
- July 2009
- June 2009
- May 2009
- April 2009
- March 2009
- February 2009
- January 2009
- December 2008
- November 2008
- October 2008
- September 2008
- August 2008
- July 2008
- June 2008
- May 2008
- April 2008
- March 2008
- February 2008
- January 2008
- December 2007
- November 2007
- October 2007
- September 2007
- August 2007
- July 2007
- June 2007
- May 2007
- April 2007
Comments (3)
Print
Save/SharePort Authority bus station is a squat, industrial building that frowns on the frivolity and neon of Times Square, and bus riders know why. The chaotic mood inside its terminals is reflected in the surly drivers and gloomy passengers who pay up to $70 to get from New York City to Philadelphia on Greyhound and other bus lines. The only alternative to Port Authority used to be the famously cheap “Chinatown” bus companies, whose drivers are known for speeding and whose floors are invariably movie-theater sticky.
Enter the Boltbus company, a spinoff of Greyhound, which celebrates its first anniversary this week. The company has transported 800,000-plus travelers in the past year. Rates on Bolt Bus can be as low as $2 to Boston round trip, if you buy in advance.
Boltbus includes the kinds of perks that make a $200 train fare seem like something out of the 19th-century. A second after you purchase your Boltbus ticket online, a text message of the confirmation number can light up your cell phone and serve as your e-ticket. Other perks: Each seat has an outlet, and free wireless internet is standard.
Boltbus has its dedicated fans. I once witnessed an impromptu round of applause burst forth from a busload of weathered New Yorkers at 7 a.m. in the dead of winter. We hope the applause keeps coming for a long time.—Julia Furlan
[BoltBus.com]
EARLIER
NYC to DC by bus for $3: We test it!
User reviews and comments that include profanity or personal attacks or other inappropriate comments or material will be removed from the site. Additionally, entries that are unsigned or contain "signatures" by someone other than the actual author will be removed. Finally, we will take steps to block users who violate any of our posting standards, terms of use or privacy policies or any other policies governing this site. Please review the full rules governing commentaries and discussions.
I have never been able to secure a ticket on Bolt Bus for less than $ 14 / one way. Even when I purchase two months in advance and there is only 10 people of the bus. Seems to me they are promoting false advertising.
Posted By Dave Skean on March 27, 2009, 7:04 PM
Hi Dave,
Thanks for speaking up about Boltbus. Our readers need to know when things aren’t on the up-and-up. I’m sorry to hear you haven’t gotten the lowest price tickets. I have a feeling they only reserve three or four seats at the rock-bottom price, and then start charging more. Because our office is in NYC, I often take Boltbus to philly and D.C where my friends and family live. I haven’t had the same problem you’re talking about, but that’s just anecdotal. At the same time, I’ve only gotten the lowest fare once. Usually I’m paying $10. And when we asked them for the official average, they said specifically on the NYC to Philly route, it’s $9 each way.
Kind regards,
Sean
Senior editor, Budget Travel
Posted By Blog Editor on March 28, 2009, 12:11 PM
The way Boltbus' low fares work is that only the first ticket on the bus is $1, so if you are the very first person to buy a ticket for a certain schedule,you are in luck. It does not always depend on how far in advance you buy them, as sometimes extra trips are released closer to the dates of busy travel days. As the bus fills the price goes up, so buying early is still a good idea. One other thing to mention is that they have removed seats to allow more legroom than most other buses, which is important to me since I am not short, and neither is my 6'4" travel companion. On most buses, his knees are squished to chest level! On average, I have found it to be cheaper and better than any other bus service, and certainly the train. The drivers are sane, and sometimes even entertaining, and make good time. I have taken a lot of Boston to NYC buses in my day, and will continue to do so, and Bolt has consistently been my first choice ever since they came into being. Happy birthday Bolt. Thanks for existing!
Posted By LP on March 31, 2009, 12:10 PM