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Beating $4 Gas with a $1 Bus

time.com — Sleek coaches are touting $1 fares from New York to D.C., Chicago to Cleveland and Kansas City to St. Louis. More than a cheap ride, the vehicles feature amenities unheard of on traditional bus lines — including real flush toilets, wider seats and power outlets.

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  • yellowcakewalk, on 06/07/2008, -28/+17Another good reason to get rid of your automobile.
    • orbit1979, on 06/08/2008, -2/+20I have been using public transportation a lot more lately, and realized that I do not need my car nearly as much as I previously thought. But, at least were I live, you still need a car for some stuff. There is still no viable alternative.
      • 1randomguyO8, on 06/09/2008, -1/+1Amen brother. Im also using these things called "legs"
    • timsline, on 06/08/2008, -1/+17This is a great alternative in some situations, but it hardly makes getting rid of my car realistic. Public transportation just won't get me to and from work where I live.
      • DreadPirate, on 06/08/2008, -4/+25And that is exactly what self-righteous pricks like Yellowcakewalk refuse to consider.He happens to live in an area with good public transportation, so that is the entire world to him.
        • mikelieman, on 06/08/2008, -5/+2Since energy ain't getting cheaper, maybe you should consider moving.
        • mikelieman, on 06/08/2008, -5/+1Since energy ain't getting any cheaper, maybe you should consider moving?
        • DreadPirate, on 06/09/2008, -0/+4mikelieman - Try moving to upstate NY, land of farms and wilderness. Try living 15 miles from the nearest store of any kind. These places produce the food you eat every damn day. You try to tell the people that live up there to move because there's no public transportation.

          You show the same self-righteous blindness that Yellowcakewalk exhibits. Have you ever been anywhere outside of whatever area you live in for any significant amount of time? I have.

          I live in a city with good public transportation and I take advantage of it on a regular basis. However, unlike you lot, I also have friends and family who live in rural areas. Areas that have little or no public transportation because the population is so spread out. They would take advantage of it if it was available, but it isn't.

          I have yet to see anyone propose a solution for those areas besides "move". You have just demonstrated that you are among the many witless liberals. Grow a brain and try again.

        • mikelieman, on 06/09/2008, -1/+1Ok, here's a solution.

          Start your own damn bus company.
        • DreadPirate, on 06/09/2008, -0/+1Impractical, lame, and useless suggestion for the situation I highlighted. You are already well on your way to being a stellar liberal!
        • mikelieman, on 06/09/2008, -0/+1NICE! I like the way you need to devolve into ( what you perceive to be ) insults.

          You are, of course, wrong.
    • sjl127, on 06/08/2008, -3/+1Ride this bus and have advertisements rammed in your bung hole.
      • projectstartrek, on 06/09/2008, -3/+2Yeah, that's probably why most people don't take the bus.
  • caphics, on 06/08/2008, -3/+38wow perfect for the summer! NYC and DC here i come!
    • yuanzhoulu, on 06/08/2008, -0/+22they also have free WiFi!!! the most important thing, they missed in the description!

      also may i point out that they only guarantee at least one $1 seat per bus. the seats are most certainly NOT all $1, or else they wouldn't profit worth crap. you're looking at usually $7-15 per ticket which isn't too shabby either.

      www.boltbus.com
      • benologist, on 06/09/2008, -0/+2$7 - $15 is a bargain. I've paid a lot more for similar routes on Amtrak.
  • trumpcard, on 06/08/2008, -33/+7I still prefer an SUV.

    Thank you very much.
    • orbit1979, on 06/08/2008, -6/+20What is your address so we can send you a portion of our high gas bills since you are part of the problem? I think it is only fare.
    • FairDinkumMate, on 06/08/2008, -3/+10That's great. As soon as you work out how to keep the pollution from your inefficient, oversized vehicle within your own property, let me know & I'll stop complaining about you. Until then, I'll continue to think you're a selfish, self-centred prat that cares about nobody but yourself!
    • notanidiot, on 06/08/2008, -2/+9Well I still prefer bangin your mom in the backdoor while she sucks off a pterodactyl.
    • ryansmith18, on 06/08/2008, -6/+4Don't worry trumpcard, I enjoy being part of the problem too. I prefer to run over coons and armadillos rather than have them get stuck in the grill of a puny eco-friendly car.
    • Netrilix, on 06/08/2008, -2/+4In the spring, summer, and fall, I hike in the White Mountains and bike all over New England. I need a vehicle that can carry 4 people, plus camping gear, or carry bikes for a few people. In the winter, I snowmobile, so I need a vehicle that can tow a snowmobile trailer. I also live on a private street that doesn't get plowed by the city. Not only does it not get plowed, it also gets 2-4' snowbanks when the main road is plowed. I need a vehicle that can break through 4 feet of snow. I have roughly the smallest SUV I can find to accomplish all of this, and now these people are trying to take even that away from me. Good luck with that, I love my outdoor sports far too much to drive a Toyota Tercel.

      On a side note, I have nothing against the hybrid movement. My next SUV is going to be a hybrid if there's a realistic choice out there. If not, I will buy another gas-guzzler, because I will pay the $70 to fill my tank to do the things I love.
      • notanidiot, on 06/09/2008, -0/+1How about stop playing games, and do something worthwhile. You wanna play with your toys, and thats all you care about. You big worthless child.

        Oh, and good luck paying 70 to fill an SUV tank when gas is $5+ a gallon.
        • Netrilix, on 06/09/2008, -0/+1You sound like you take life far too seriously. What do you propose I do for fun, rather than hiking, biking, and canoing? I suppose I should just spend the rest of my life in a cubical and go to wine tasting parties, right? I have to say, I think this may be the first time I've ever been bashed for having outdoor hobbies.

          Also, I still haven't heard how I'm going to break through that snowbank at the bottom of my driveway. Or should I just sit at my computer, eat Cheetos, and masturbate all winter? Because really, I'll do whatever it takes to make you happy. You believe that, right?
        • notanidiot, on 06/10/2008, -0/+1Ever heard of a shovel? Its this cool little garden tool thing that can also be used to remove snow. Its amazing, and check this out: it doesn't use any gas at all!

          Y'know what else? There's lots of places that let you rent canoes. You can strap a bike to a car. You can put hiking gear in a trunk.
        • Netrilix, on 06/10/2008, -0/+1Why do all of that? I have an SUV :)
    • lbdinh, on 06/08/2008, -0/+4***** you.
  • Chompy, on 06/08/2008, -37/+168Anyone with the ability to see past their own wallet will realize that, in the long run, high gas prices are a GOOD thing. Public transportation use is up over 10%, while demand for gas in the US has decreased more drastically that any time since WW2.
    • enclaved, on 06/08/2008, -23/+82***** that, I have no access to public transportation and my demand for gas hasn't changed at all. Paying more for the same ***** you used to pay less for is not good. Get off the oil company *****, they are not gouging us to save the planet from global warming or to help us reduce our dependance on foreign oil for our national safety. Some guy in a suit said 'you know we're running out of oil' and some other guy said 'JOLLY GOOD SIR YOU MAKE A FANTASTIC POINT WE SHOULD CHARGE AS MUCH AS HUMANLY POSSIBLE FOR THE REST OF IT'
      • loneraven, on 06/08/2008, -4/+38Yea. This recent rise to mass transportation does me no good. Why? Because I have access to none of it. Sure if I lived in a big city like New York or Chicago, I could live my life pretty effectively without a car.

        But I live in a fairly large city (of ~100,000) that virtually no mass transportation (they do have a bus system, but it leaves a lot to be desired) and the nearest store is three miles from my house. I don't live out in the country, in fact, I live in the city in the middle of a huge sprawling residential zone. I'd love to be able to take mass transportation if my city offered it, but hell, most cities don't.
        • yuanzhoulu, on 06/08/2008, -1/+17a rise in public transportation use means those companies, which are now getting more revenue, will be able to spend more to extend public transportation.
        • ducs, on 06/08/2008, -1/+11Have you tried writing to your local transportation authority or city and state legislatures about it?
        • SatansSpatula, on 06/08/2008, -1/+2@yuanqhoulu - public transportation *companies*?

          Anyway, anyone living in suburbia is *****.
        • scaaven2, on 06/08/2008, -4/+9You could ride a bike to the store.
        • lmphil, on 06/08/2008, -0/+5A lot of "public transportation" is privatized so saying "public transportation companies" is appropriate.
        • sickanimations, on 06/08/2008, -0/+3Do you really think that public transport would be improving in your area if its use was decreasing?
        • quadvods, on 06/08/2008, -1/+7@scaaven2:

          I'd like to see you carry your weekly food shopping back home on a bicycle.
      • Tomchei, on 06/08/2008, -2/+18Public Transportation for me is borrowing a neighbors horse.
        • breadfred, on 06/08/2008, -0/+3I'd love to do that - can you just imagine the looks you would get arriving at work on a horse! Unfortunately, I live in a city where it would be hard to keep a horse. No front gardens, just a small back yard. It would be a pain to have the horse walk through the house to the front door every day.
        • nitesoulja, on 06/08/2008, -2/+1i'd love to have sex with it
      • drakelord, on 06/08/2008, -4/+11The oil companies aren't gouging us worth *****. Its the weak dollar combined with supply and demand. Their profits aren't ***** compared to other companies that sell less products and receive more for it. Just because it is something that is essential for our country doesn't mean that someone isn't going to make a profit.
        • Netrilix, on 06/08/2008, -0/+8While I agree that it isn't entirely their fault, they're also posting record profits. The blame should be distributed fairly evenly.
        • KingBabi, on 06/08/2008, -0/+3Schlumberger (Hallibuton's main competitor) stock split (twice?) and it's reporting major, major profit. Netrilix is right.
        • shodanx, on 06/08/2008, -1/+1no, because the canadian dollar didn't move yet the gas went up 45 %
      • sickanimations, on 06/08/2008, -7/+2Supply and demand, douchebag.
    • kent1146, on 06/08/2008, -7/+70I'm sorry, but you're wrong. Yes, people are driving less and using public transportation more. But the costs of high gas costs affect EVERYTHING, from transportation to food. This contributes to a weakening economy as people buy less, and to inflation (if the Fed keeps dropping interest rates in response)

      If you want to promote less driving and more public transport, then raise taxes on personal auto use, such as a tax for not carpooling.
      • Eira, on 06/08/2008, -0/+8They do something similar in Japan. Toll roads are insane (Tokyo to Osaka is about $200, excluding gas) and you have to pay taxes on your automobile every year from what I understand. Of course, public transportation is more plausible because the country isn't as spread out as much... But it'd be nice if America looked into a similar system.
      • curtisag, on 06/08/2008, -2/+15Yes lets increase inflation even worse by taxing all the small businesses for having the audacity to drive a personal vehicle. And while we're at it, there are way too many 18-wheeler trucks on the road, lets tax the ***** out of them too and increase the cost of practically everything and put many of them out of business. Taxes are not the solution to everything. Gas prices are already high enough to encourage people to conserve energy.
        • kent1146, on 06/09/2008, -0/+1Well now... aren't you just taking an idea, using very extreme examples to shoot it down, and raising an alarmist flag on why it would fail?

          Note that I specifically did *not* mention items which directly impact businesses, such as tractor-trailers. There are several ways to tax excessive *PERSONAL* automobile use without affecting businesses, such as restricting taxes only to certain classes of automobiles (tractor-trailer rigs would be exclude), allowing exemptions for a certain number of vehicles registered to businesses, and restricting the taxes only to certain hours of the day (mostly rush hour). These rules are aimed at *PERSONAL* auto use while attempting to minimize the direct impact to business and economy.

          There are many cities that use similar tactics to fight traffic congestion... I am simply suggesting that we re-apply some of these tactics to fight excessive energy use.
      • Rigor, on 06/08/2008, -4/+2Yeah, and can I come have sex in your house too. Then I won't have to run my washer and dyer...
      • lmphil, on 06/08/2008, -1/+3@ curtisag

        Taxes are very flexible. One does not have to tax every single vehicle. It would be perfectly reasonable to exempt small business and tractor trailers from road taxes. The focus, I would think, would be on private individuals carpooling to work.
    • johnstar, on 06/08/2008, -2/+30I make 2000 bucks a month, out of that after bills gas food and credit im trying to ***** up I have 60 dollars a month disposable income. Gas prices are going to make that 0 in the near future. I can't ride a bus and 1 bedroom apartment near my work (close enough to walk) cost 1,005 per month so Im *****.
      in conclusion ***** OPEC
      • frogstik, on 06/08/2008, -0/+10I hear you man. I was the same way, then I got married my finances got better... my wife is one hell of a CFO -- and having dual incomes and no kids certainly does help.

        Though now I've put myself on a $50/week allowance -- which does cut into my video game habit. ;)

        It gets better... I promise -- getting that credit card paid off is quite possibly the greatest feeling ever.
      • curtisag, on 06/08/2008, -5/+3You need a cheaper apartment dude. You should never allow rent to take up over half of your income. I work in the finance industry so I know about these things from a technical standpoint. I have a 2 bedroom apartment in a nice area and it only costs me $850.
        • nextyoyoma, on 06/08/2008, -2/+16reading comprehension FTW. He said he can't move closer to work because it would cost that much, not that his current apartment costs that much.
        • alphamarquis, on 06/08/2008, -1/+7Working in the finance industry obviously does not require a need to read.
        • curtisag, on 06/09/2008, -2/+2Go ***** yourself assholes. I'm sure you've never misread anything in your life.
      • lmphil, on 06/08/2008, -2/+3Get rid of your car and buy a motorcycle or scooter if its that much of a problem....or you could carpool but I bet that's too "inconvenient." I'm sure scooters are too "girly" as well. You're spoiled.
        • mephitix, on 06/08/2008, -0/+6Your post kind of degenerated into a stupid insult...
        • lmphil, on 06/09/2008, -0/+4haha yeah I think you're right...
        • 1randomguyO8, on 06/09/2008, -0/+4Cmon man we're not China, India, Vietnam here. Call me self centered and selfish but its the ***** 21st century so I feel we deserve to drive(albeit not wastfully, as we have in the past). I don't want to end up being that Chinese dude with his whole family riding on a ***** scooter.
        • Rigor, on 06/12/2008, -0/+1http://www.celsias.com/blog/images/china_bicycles2 ...
      • mephitix, on 06/08/2008, -0/+1Yeah, paying off any debt should try to be a priority... if you can maybe put your money in short-term investments that will help too (CDs/money-market/etc.).

        It's a long shot but try pushing your workplace to promote efficient commuting, like reducing bus fares for employees, getting their own transportation, buying into third-party commuting like VanPool.

        When you say you can't ride a bus, does that mean that no bus system exists where you are? It would be better in the long run if you get a place somewhere that has a bus stop at walking distance. Even if it's a 45 min. - 1 hour bus ride to work you and your wallet will feel a lot better -- trust me, it worked for me.
        • JcbAzPx, on 06/09/2008, -0/+1I don't know about johnstar but the bus routes where I live suck. My 20 minute drive to work takes two hours by bus, and it's a one way trip. They don't run late enough for me to get back home.

          Public transportations works in some cities, but in others it really doesn't.
      • asus2000, on 06/30/2008, -0/+2It's not OPEC that is making the dollar deflate... The dollar is deflating (raising the cost of foreign goods) because your government is printing dollars as fast as they can to pay for a phoney never-ending war that pretty much puts billions of dollars into the pockets of Bush, Cheney, and his friends.
    • timsline, on 06/08/2008, -3/+11Public transportation won't help truckers fill up at the pump or airlines get passengers to their destination any cheaper. Sure, high prices will reduce consumption, but there is a very significant cost involved for those who have know alternative, and for consumers in general.
      • eryximachus, on 06/08/2008, -1/+10Reduced demand = reduced supply.

        If we banned personal transportation vehicles tomorrow, the price of fuel would plummet.

        It's that simple. So, you are quite wrong. Public transportation, if it were implemented effectively and the public was sufficiently encouraged to use it, would directly make truck transport and air transport less expensive.
        • SatansSpatula, on 06/08/2008, -2/+3Interesting wording. "and the public was sufficiently encouraged to use it"

          In other words, you are looking at ways to FORCE people to do something they don't want to do. Rather than looking at ways to make public transportation *preferable*, you are looking at ways to make their current preference *less desirable*. That's a creepy, Big Brother tactic right there.

          Here is an example of making public transportation more desirable: if San Francisco city buses would let me pay $1 extra in order to ride in a section which had no homeless and no loud talking allowed, I would gladly pay it.
      • keviniskool, on 06/08/2008, -1/+2*no
    • NachoBusiness, on 06/08/2008, -0/+22Public transportation only really works in urban areas designed for it. I live in an old streetcar suburb so riding the bus is pretty nice... there's a stop 100 feet from my front door that goes within 2 blocks of my office (1 on the trip home, due to wacky 1-way streets downtown). I'm like, why the hell would I pay $4 a gallon when work gives me a free bus pass? it takes 20-30 minutes by bus to get to work... driving it could take 10 minutes if the streets are empty but often as not I'm not getting there much faster in a car than I would by bus due to traffic. I haven't driven to work since March and don't miss driving one bit.

      Unfortunately for people in post-1945 suburbs... mass transit is going to suck with all those curving streets, cul de sacs and half-acre lots (who'd have thought living on a house crammed into .11 acres would be a good thing?). It might be a 20 minute walk to the stop and an hour or more to get to work on the bus. We need to start designing cities the way we used to... and hope it's not too late.
      • ripismoney, on 06/08/2008, -0/+4Yeah mass transit is basically nonexistant in the suburbs. We have one MTA bus that goes down the only two streets that matter in our town and the only people who really ride that are people who transfer buses and such and end up at the regional hospital at the end of our bus's line.

        On the other hand, regional buses are the short-term band aid for the suburbs, at least until everyone can migrate back into the cities. I know people who take a regional MTA bus to work 43 miles away. With a bus pass that's 86 miles a day for $3. Pretty good deal.
        • NachoBusiness, on 06/08/2008, -0/+3Mass transit can only be profitable in dense areas, I think, or economies where people really don't have any other options and will make great efforts to use mass transit (this still describes much of India for example). Until the mid-1970s mass transit was provided in big and mid-sized cities by private, for-profit companies. There was actually money to be made in running a bus across town. Partially this was due to high ridership, but also, as private companies, they only bothered providing services that were profitable. This meant lines only ran where ridership was high and services were offered only to able bodied people. Nowadays your typical mass transit authority only gets 15% of its revenue from fares... but provides services private mass transit never did.

          IMO with dense cities and high gas prices we'd have private city bus companies again before too long. Unfortunately post-1945 suburbs are built only for cars. Effective, profitable mass transit requires narrow lots and a grid plan for streets, concepts which have been dead in urban planning since the 1930s and nobody is reviving even as we near the cliff of $5+ gas. Personally I see us shooting ourselves in the foot when we continue to approve subdivisions that are accessible only by car and build roads without bike lanes or even sidewalks. Yet even in 2008 it's still happening. We'll have to stop doing those things if gas gets much above $5 a gallon, but it would be smart to stop doing those things right now.
      • wrestlingnrj, on 06/09/2008, -0/+1I've checked out the bus schedule (only public transit where I live) to see how long it would take to get to work and it's about 1 hour, or I could drive for 15. I've also checked other places I frequent a lot and it's even worse.

        Public Transit doesn't work everywhere and Souther California is definitely one of them.
    • nizzy1115, on 06/08/2008, -0/+3I tell you what. I used to take the train then the bus to campus when i went to college in the city. I have no access anymore now that ive been done with that. I would if i could, but our countries public transit is not capable of anything other countries are doing right now. It doesn't help that CTA keeps cutting back its routes OR that they are not dependable to arrive at certain times. Same with the metra train. Are the Chinese trains ever late? NO, they are on time everyday down to the exact minute.

      If were gonna say high gas is ok, just take public transit - provide public transit access for everyone, not just those living in a large city.
      • NachoBusiness, on 06/08/2008, -0/+8But mass transit really only works with dense populations (such as China and India), or at least very intentionally built communities, such as suburbs built around a rail station (the relics of which exist in many American cities, they were very wealthy places built before cars were practical). You can't just ordain that mass transit will suddenly work with the cul-de-sac, curvy street surburbs we built for the past 60 years... those were designed only for cars, and they will work only for cars no matter how much you subsidize mass transit. Nobody in China using that great mass transit system is living in a neighborhood with 1-floor ranch houses on .75 acre lots.
    • gfxlonghorn, on 06/08/2008, -1/+2Which is good because 50% who make under 50 grand a year can't see past their wallet. No matter how you spin climate change, first comes me then comes the rest of the world.
    • elnerdo, on 06/08/2008, -1/+7People who say, "high gas prices are a good thing" are ill-informed. Yes, it's a good thing for the reasons you stated, BUT you forget that every single thing you buy, unless it was made in your neighborhood, was shipped to you via truck. All of your food, all of your entertainment items, etc. High gas prices means high shipping prices. High shipping prices increase the price of everything, and an increase in the price of everything is called "inflation", and everybody agrees that inflation is bad.
      • xptoast, on 06/08/2008, -0/+2I am glad someone else can see that. It is good to put a squeeze on the system so that they will give us better public transportation systems but it is bad that we have to go that far to get the new transportation systems. I would rather go to the doctor before I get sick enough to vomit my brains out and lose my job or die. Let's get the new system before we squeeze ourselves too far. Let's not be that guy that waits too long to go to the doc to get help. Help now so that we dont get too screwed.
      • Ryanr14, on 06/08/2008, -0/+1I get everything from the internet!
      • Chompy, on 06/10/2008, -0/+1No, I haven't forgotten that. But this whole fuel thing has to happen sometime; either we deal with it now, or our kids deal with it later. Take some responsibility for yourself.
    • bdbr, on 06/08/2008, -0/+1In the long run, expensive gas will result in accelerated effort on alternative fuels, which we need. It will result in more effective public transportation, and neighborhoods build to make that useful. It will result in power sources that have fewer negative environmental impacts.

      But that's only in the long run. There will be a lot of serious difficulties and painful choices for everyone between now and then.
    • Abomonog, on 06/09/2008, -0/+1Even at todays gas prices it is cheaper for me to drive to work than take the bus. I live that close to my work. At least in my case there is that option. But half of the U.S. has no access to public transportation. Unless people are willing to have tracks laid out going to individual residences or buses that do the same public transportation will always be useless for most of America.
  • pumpedvideo, on 06/08/2008, -5/+96(BoltBus guarantees just one $1 seat per bus. "It's our marketing gimmick," admits Peter Picknelly, president of Peter Pan, which co-owns Bolt


    • unbiasedcomment, on 06/08/2008, -27/+10Did you get cutoff or do you always forget to use periods and finish parenthesis?
    • bdbr, on 06/08/2008, -0/+5Its a pretty effective marketing gimmick! They got a Times article and a Digg front page out of it.
    • Outdoor83, on 06/08/2008, -2/+1At my count, that makes 940 gullible Digg users that don't read the article. Is there *anywhere* you can go to get good information these days?
  • imnojezus, on 06/08/2008, -1/+114If anyone was wondering how they'd cover operational costs, there are only one or two $1 seats per bus. "Then prices inch up to $7, $10, $15 and $20, before topping out at $25 on the longest routes." Still, even at $25 a seat, it's much cheaper than going by car.
    • NachoBusiness, on 06/08/2008, -2/+8Alas in the Midwest 1-way tickets seem to start at $25 if you're lucky. Even with $4/gallon gas it's still cheaper for me to drive alone in my car to visit friends 150 miles away than it would be for me to take a bus... not to mention that the bus ride takes 9 hours whereas I can drive in 3.

      I'd take a bus if it weren't just such a crappier deal.

      (oh hey, I went and checked... "only" $51 each way and a 4.5 hour trip... sadly that's an improvement over the last time I checked)
      • zeroepoch, on 06/08/2008, -2/+5150 miles takes 3 hours! That sucks.
    • Cattywampus, on 06/08/2008, -0/+1Yeah, and it sounds a hell of a lot more comfortable and reliable than the Chinatown buses (which I refuse to take... I've heard too many stories about those breaking down).
    • G-RaZoR, on 06/08/2008, -0/+4Plus you have to factor the costs of going to the bus stop to the place you are going. Taxi costs, friends having to drive and pick you up, etc.
    • sporg, on 06/08/2008, -0/+4Actually its not cheaper than taking my car. I average about 44 mpg so it I can make that 231 mile trip on $25.00 in gas easily and still have a little left for side trips once I get to my destination. I can stop where ever I want along the way and I don't have to deal with sitting next to random people. There happen to be power outlets in my car and buildings all along the route with real flush toilets (These toilets also have a lower probability of having been vomited all over mid trip)

      Last time I took a greyhound the fare was way too high and the stop over station had criminals and drug users hanging around outside. The policeman on duty came up to me and suggested that I stay inside until the bus arrived as going out would be a bad idea.

      Even if these other buses are much nicer I doubt they will stay that way.

      • napk, on 06/09/2008, -0/+1BoltBus doesn't use stations...

        Also, not everyone has a personal vehicle with the fuel efficiency of yours (or a car at all). By the end of the summer however, I suspect it will no longer be cheaper for even you.
    • bdbr, on 06/08/2008, -0/+1Assuming you don't need to go many places once you get there, maybe. Otherwise you'll need to tack on the price of taxis or rental car. Parking costs on your end may be higher than they'd be if you were driving (and could pick a hotel with no parking fees).
    • podopie, on 06/09/2008, -0/+2Considering Amtrak starts around 100 for the same kind of trips and offers the same stuff - wifi, I'm pretty sure I'm done riding the train this summer.
      • zoom1928, on 06/09/2008, -0/+1Starts at a $100 is correct. With a sleeper, my last Amtrak trip was $2,200 roundtrip. Even with higher fuel prices, the same trip by air is only costing me $514 this week. My trip by air will take two half days. My Amtrak nightmare took eleven days. For my trip Amtrak was four times the cost and wasted almost twenty times as much time. No thanks. Never again.
  • Dumbledorito, on 06/08/2008, -1/+20The other problem a lot of cities are seeing is a rush to use mass transit without the capacity to handle the added load. Also, voters and politicians have been de-funding public transit in a lot of places for years, and with cash/credit becoming tight, there's not a lot of extra funds to start adding busses or building light rail.
    • mithrasinvictus, on 06/08/2008, -0/+8They should have seen this coming for decades.
      • Dumbledorito, on 06/08/2008, -0/+5True, but if one assumes that the people in charge even had an inkling of what was to come, I doubt they would have gotten enough public support for any kind of improvement. This is the same voting public, remember, that was enjoying cheap gas and buying Hummers willy-nilly.

        In my urban-ish area, they'd scoff, "Why pay for busses? Those are for POOR people."
    • rif42, on 06/08/2008, -0/+1Earlier short-sighted politics and lack of actions by US government is now turning this in to a major crisis. It was when the crude oil was at 25 USD, the government should have realised "this easy party ain't going to last" and introduced taxes to adjust consumer behaviour to buy smaller and more energy efficient cars. The income from these taxes should have been spent on funding hi speed train systems and mass transportation that works.
      • Dumbledorito, on 06/08/2008, -0/+1If they were really smart, it would be done now. Sadly, however, while now is the time that the public might vote for it, the "crisis" of it allows special interests to profiteer and quite probably sink the result with corruption and sweetheart deals.

        Same as it ever was... unless we get an actual Depression out of this. I think then and only then could business and government interests be scared/humbled enough to actually do something with a minimum of *****. The pain would be enormous, though.
    • TheMime, on 06/08/2008, -0/+2Hooray for living in Denver. We started building our light-rail about ten years ago and it's up and functioning just in time for rising gas prices.

      Oh yeah, and possession of marijuana is legal.
  • orbit1979, on 06/08/2008, -0/+24Dam, maybe I'll ditch the car and take that vacation to New York City. Even without the $1 fare, the max is $25 per person and I won't have to sell my soul for gas and parking.
    • frogstik, on 06/08/2008, -0/+8No *****... parking in any of the cities are going to cost you more than the bus trip... not to mention toll fees and just sitting in your car waiting in traffic.
      • pstine, on 06/08/2008, -0/+2Dont drive into nyc for vacation. We hate jerks like you. (I mean that in the nicest way possible)
  • frogstik, on 06/08/2008, -0/+15Yeah here in Cincinnati we have the Mega Bus. It's pretty cheap to go from Cincy to Chicago about $30 each way on the most expensive -- but you can typically get some good deals if you plan ahead.

    They are nice too -- you can just open your laptop, DS, iPhone, or whatever and relax.
    • flashpointmedia, on 06/08/2008, -0/+1I was just about to say this. Mega Bus has been around for 10 years or so, offering $1.00 fares (I believe their major base is the Midwest, as they service Chicago also). Just no-one has taken notice until recently (that is, unless you've been poor...).

  • briankeith, on 06/08/2008, -1/+32Don't click on the megabus link in the article. It leads to a spam/domain squatter site. The actual domain is: http://megabus.com . Obviously a typo by the writer or editor.
  • Birks, on 06/08/2008, -0/+2I have seen the bolt bus around NYC and wondered what it was all about. Pretty cool... although a bit weird that it's owned by greyhound and peterpan
  • ysss, on 06/08/2008, -2/+9Is the $1 seat in the loo? And do you have to switch seats with the attendant when heshe is on break?
  • crapmatic, on 06/08/2008, -0/+7I recall taking a coach from Swindon to London when I was visiting the UK in the 1990s.... there were business travellers with laptop computers, snack and beverage service, and the whole damn bus was clean and comfortable. This was a bus departing from the regular old city bus station, too.
  • jarofclay, on 06/08/2008, -1/+3They really are everywhere. Even in northwest Montana we have a bus. It's a dollar to work and a dollar back (or $25/month unlimited).
    • YZBot, on 06/08/2008, -2/+1...and the remaining fare is paid for in taxes.
      • notanidiot, on 06/08/2008, -1/+1If more people would use the bus, that wouldn't be a problem... and I'm not convinced its a problem now.
      • theboyqueen, on 06/09/2008, -1/+1Which you are paying regardless, so why not take advantage of it?
        • YZBot, on 06/10/2008, -0/+1I have no problem with the tax payer funding the equipment and infrastructure, but the operating costs should supported in full by the fares they take in. This frees up funds for additional infrastructure.

          There is no reason that the non-users should be required to foot the bill.
  • secrity, on 06/08/2008, -2/+9Except for going into the City, which I seldom do, mass transit is useless to me. I would have to walk over a mile, and take well over an hour to get to work using the bus. I can drive the five miles to work in less than 15 minutes, door to door. Bicycling would be impossible.

    Even when going into the city, I have to drive three miles to get to the transit station and pay to park there.
    • YZBot, on 06/08/2008, -0/+2They have a similar setup where I am. Plenty of buses going into the downtown area. Great if you work downtown, sucks for the majority of everyone else who doesn't. You get stuck with obscene bus travel times and multiple transfers. Hence, every bus except for the express buses are practically empty.
    • Dumbledorito, on 06/08/2008, -2/+4Welcome to a consequence of moving away from where you work. It was practical before, but now... not so much.
      • RNEMESiS42, on 06/08/2008, -1/+2Exactly. It is a great thing that my work is five, count it, five blocks from my house. I can either walk or bike. Walking REALLY isn't that bad of a thing at all. I only use my car to visit friends in the burbs or go to Target and other big retail outlets. I've been on the same tank of gas since the end of last April. I drive a coupe, though.
      • secrity, on 06/09/2008, -0/+1It is more a consequence of working in the tech sector and owning a condo in a sprawling urban area. Moving closer to my work would involve selling our condo and would increase my partner's commute.
    • Konrad9, on 06/08/2008, -2/+5Dude, 5 miles? Impossible?
      Get in shape, if my commute was 5 miles I'd be biking at this point.
      The only reason I don't bike is because I work 20 miles away.
      • secrity, on 06/09/2008, -0/+1Five miles in a car, perhaps three times that distance in suicidal traffic on a bicycle.
    • EvilJelloMan, on 06/08/2008, -1/+4I'm curious what makes a five mile commute on a bicycle impossible. My commute is around 12 miles, and I have considered switching to bike. The only thing stopping is this two-week 90-degree heat wave.
      • stevea1210, on 06/08/2008, -0/+3It could be 5 miles on roads that don't allow bikes (highway). There are drives around my area that would be three to four times the length if you didn't take the highway.
      • notanidiot, on 06/08/2008, -0/+2if it takes 15 minutes to go 5 miles, I don't think its highway. Its probably his fat ass thats stopping him. Put down the hot dogs and cream cheese!

        JK, but seriously, if you're only going five miles, I don't imagine you're using too much gas anyway. So what would be the point?
      • Wakkyweed, on 06/08/2008, -0/+5I would like to commute on my bicycle, but the last 3 miles is through an area that would be virtually suicidal to do on a bike. It's a very narrow road with tons of hills and blind turns, and everyone goes way over the speed limit. To take an alternate route would triple the commute, so I can see where he's coming from.
        • breadfred, on 06/08/2008, -0/+3Isn't it time to invest in bicycle lanes?
      • secrity, on 06/09/2008, -0/+1That is 5 miles using an Interstate highway. It is much further and much more dangerous using surface streets. Much of the reason for the increased distance is because of the limited crossing points across two Interstate highways. Much of the danger is because traffic across the Interstate highways is concentrated on just a few major roads.
    • jnosanov, on 06/08/2008, -1/+2Do you live in New York City? I live in Queens and this is all why I am MOVING next Saturday. There is no entitlement to live where you want. If you can't afford to live somewhere, MOVE. New York City is full of people who bitch constantly about costs - they seem to believe that they are entitled to live here, and that the rest of the world should change to allow them to afford it without having to do anything extra. Delusional.
      • secrity, on 06/09/2008, -0/+1No, I do not live in NYC; NYC has decent mass transit. You must be a renter, not an owner.

        I said nothing about not being able to afford to live where I do. I did not bitch about costs, I was pointing out that mass transit and bicycles are impractical for my commute.

        Moving is not going to much good because moving toward my place of work increases my partner's commute.
  • whorunbartertwn, on 06/08/2008, -0/+3It's kind of nice timing for Phoenix, Arizona. They've spent a lot of money on the fancy new light rail and of course the argument is will enough people up their cars to hop on this (currently very limited in route coverage) light rail system to make is successful enough to warrant funding for expansion.

    $4 gas will surely convince a few.
  • deadlyrice, on 06/08/2008, -0/+12the chinatown bus has been running for years between philly, dc, nyc, and boston for very cheap (like 10 bucks a trip). shady transportation is my preferred mode of transportation.
    • RNEMESiS42, on 06/08/2008, -0/+6Digg for the last sentence, heh :D
  • raleel, on 06/08/2008, -0/+2Note, the routes they have are pretty limited. there is very little in the western US. that having been said still glad it's there.

    probably need to have a pretty packed bus to make any money at the rates they are going with, even with the curbside pickup.
  • itsthemechanic, on 06/08/2008, -15/+4Get motorcycles and shut the ***** up already. Sheesh. You can go the speed limit with a 250cc bike for crying out loud, and it's a hell of a lot more fun than driving a car anyway.
    And those that will say "But it's too cold! But I'll get wet! But I might crash and get hurt in an accident!" ... MAN THE ***** UP.
    'Nuff said.
    Of course, if you'd rather sit on a bus, have your ***** stolen when you fall asleep, and smell other people's farts, GG to you.
    • MarsSentinel, on 06/08/2008, -2/+2More bikes less cars and buses fosho. Still, most of the 'tards I see driving can't handle the hand/foot/eye coordination required of a bike. They have enough trouble with the gas/brake/makeup/cell coordination as it is.

      Oh yeah, I ride the bus every day to work and it is full of broke-dick, smelly rejects. The city bus is clunky, uncomfortable, and obviously made for people who can't wrangle the whole car thing. Until that changes, and this looks like a start, public transpo is a no-go. Of course it aint funded by the taxpayers, because the taxpayers don't use it because it is for the LOSERS. Fek.
    • Dumbledorito, on 06/08/2008, -0/+9"And those that will say "But it's too cold! But I'll get wet! But I might crash and get hurt in an accident!" ... MAN THE ***** UP."

      So what protective gear can one wear if one wishes to get a motorcycle without turning into an abraisive ***** with a Rambo complex?
  • willi, on 06/08/2008, -1/+25I took this bus from NY to Philly $1. Best bus experience. There's even wifi onboard.
  • GalacticCmdr, on 06/08/2008, -1/+2The cost depends on how many are traveling. MegaBus is very effective our friend to travel from Chicago to Cincinnati to visit us; however, for our family to do the same is more expensive that by car. It cost me just a bit over $90 to take the xB up to Chicago, drive around downtown, then back to Cincinnati. As a family of 5 the same trip in MegaBus lists for $160 in the middle of August (since we will be going back there again). Plus I have to get to downtown Cincinnati (plus park whatever vehicle I took to their lot for the weekend) - I also have to have transportation around Chicago.

    Sure, I could have done things on the bus that I cannot do in the car - but then the car offers me the ability to leave whenever I want and stop whenever I want and pass the time however I want.
    • FairDinkumMate, on 06/08/2008, -0/+3I don't think anybody is saying don't drive at all or that the bus is ALWAYS cheaper or more practical. So for a family of five, using a car is more practical - great, use the car. But I guess what people are suggesting is that if you were doing the same trip on your own, would the car still be cheaper? Probably not. If all car travel was done with 5 people utilising the car, there wouldn't be any problems. But the huge majority of car travel is done with 1 or 2 people.
    • s0nicfreak, on 06/08/2008, -0/+1You need transportation around chicago? The cta trains/buses are cheaper than gas.
  • robertlankford, on 06/08/2008, -1/+5Ok, so I'm heading to Chicago in a week or two with my wife. This article gave me the desire to see what it would cost to do so with Greyhound (only bus in our city). The round trip price for the two of us was quoted at $210. Gas for my car will be around $100 (round trip) at ~$4/gallon. WTF? Add in expensive parking fees and 'wear and tear' on the vehicle and it's *still* cheaper (and way more convenient) to simply drive. I thought the bus sucked, but made up for it by being cheap! Guess not...
    • Ravatar, on 06/08/2008, -2/+3You don't even mention how long the car ride is... for longer rides it can be more relaxing to just sleep, read, or catch up on work via laptop instead of focusing on the road for hours. Add on top of that restrooms, wifi, comfy seats, and you've got a winner.
  • MarsSentinel, on 06/08/2008, -5/+6We have to start to change the public transportation meme. Currently the bus is a vehicle for losers who can't drive for whatever reason. Therefore the bus itself is a loser vehicle as are the people manning the whole bus system. Change it to a system for lawyers and doctors and then it will get better. Until then you have to sit next to a homeless guy with puke on his shirt and poop in his pants.
    • RNEMESiS42, on 06/08/2008, -0/+9Who are you calling loser? Nearly everyone I know uses the bus in my city (Minneapolis), and we're definitely not losers, we just have a good public transit system. EVERYONE uses the buses, even if a lot of lower income "losers" are the majority. A lot of schools and workplaces around here provide discounted unlimited bus passes in semester/half-year intervals. It's a pretty good deal. Most people keep to themselves on the bus, and if the crazies bother you, just don't pay them any attention and they will lay off. We've already got light trails set up, and we're working on more. Waaaaay back in the day we had a nice trolly system set up, but of course it was buried like every other trolly system in the country.
      Seriously, get out of your suburban home and actually talk to some people.
      • YZBot, on 06/08/2008, -0/+3Good? Questionable. Getting better? Definately. The express buses and a handful of routes are heavily used, but there are still scores of buses running around that are not even remotely used to capacity. I'm sure you're aware of the transit subsidy that picks up the gap between operating costs and revenues from fares. It's those under utilized buses that is costing the system. The Hiawatha LRT is turning out to be a booming success. It's drawn in scores of people who wouldn't normally have taken any public transport, let alone a bus. I would love to see LRT lines going all over the metro area.

        One of the problems that plagues the Minneapolis/Saint Paul area is that a lot of people work outside the main city areas. Public transportation is failing hardcore in that area. It's generally a headache involving a much longer commute time and multiple transfers.
    • pixelguru, on 06/08/2008, -0/+2I admit that I once looked down on public transportation, but no more. I ride the bus to and from work every day now, saving me about $250/month in gas and parking. My fellow busmates are mostly working professionals just like me, and everyone is quite respectful. The best part though is that instead of battling traffic jams and kamikaze SUVs, I get 90 minutes (45 each way) of peace and tranquility each day. I read books, listen to podcasts or just relax. I'm in a better mood when I get to work and get home. I only wish I had starting taking the bus sooner.
    • projectstartrek, on 06/09/2008, -0/+1Where do you live? Even over here in the Maryland suburbs of DC, everyone takes the bus, regardless of wealth.
    • gannondork, on 06/09/2008, -0/+1Hey I always puke all over myself and ***** my pants before hopping on a bus and you call me a loser, thanks a lot.
  • bwa236, on 06/08/2008, -0/+6that's a hell of a deal from DC to NYC (even at $25). Even split 4 ways with my car at 25mpg, it would be ~$20 in gas for my friends and I to drive to NYC from here. And my car doesn't have wi fi or a toilet (YET!)
    I just wonder how long it will last with gas going up up up
    • haonanzhang, on 06/08/2008, -0/+3plus you have to pay a ***** for tolls.
  • thegreathal, on 06/08/2008, -0/+17I've been taking Boltbus for months. Leather seats+wifi+cheap+not crowded=It's ***** awesome. Megabus is good as well, but they're missing power plugs on the seats.
  • ry4nsm1th, on 06/08/2008, -0/+1There were no pictures of the inside of the buses on the website. The description in the article sounded good but they should maybe put some up.
  • bridow, on 06/08/2008, -2/+13philly to nyc by bus - $6
    philly to nyc by amtrak - $56

    ok this is a no brainer for me now. dugg!
  • anarchytv, on 06/08/2008, -3/+13Ride an electric motorbike. They get between 100 to 300 mpg cost equivalent. Yes, you read right. Over 100mpg.

    My antique Honda Rebel motorbike, which runs on gas, and weighs about 350 pounds, gets anywhere from 50 to 100 mpg depending on how crazy fun or conservative you drive it (sticker quotes 66). And it was made 25 years ago. Engine is like a swiss watch, cranks up every time.

    You can pay $$$ to haul 2500-3500 pounds of car/truck around whereever you go, but why do you want to? Do you really need to drive your radiator back and forth to work every day? Four tires? A huge transmission. A spare tire. Three extra passenger seats you don't use? You're paying a lot of money to move all that stupid crap around.
    • KMartSheriff, on 06/08/2008, -0/+10That's great until you actually need to carry, say, anything other than yourself. Want to go shopping? Groceries? A date? Don't get me wrong, motorcycles are awesome, but not very practical (except for just going to work and back).
      • PrintScrn12, on 06/09/2008, -1/+1If you are getting groceries just for yourself put a box or two on the sides and back. Need to more space, say when buying large items, take a trailer.

        If your taking a date buy a second helmet. Most motorbikes and scooters allow an extra rider. Need to take two passengers get a sidecar.
    • Ravatar, on 06/08/2008, -0/+10Where the hell do you live? It's been around 90-95 degrees and sunny here for the last few days straight. And it's just going to keep getting warmer. It's gotta feel like an oven in that helmet.
    • FishHammer, on 06/08/2008, -0/+4Bikes are only practical until winter comes. Also if you live in the country like I do, it's absolutely impractical.
    • lmphil, on 06/08/2008, -0/+2Why not own a truck......but only use it when you need to lug all that stuff around. I use my car only when I have to and commute via scooter (lol). Because of these rising gas prices, my weekly fill up for my scooter broke 3 dollars last night. The Horror!

      And for the record I live in Florida so its around 95 degrees out.
      • breadfred, on 06/08/2008, -0/+2I live in the UK. I ride my bike to work. Pushbike. I have got a car as well, a tiny Peugeot 106 which is 15 years old. You don't get into it, you wear it. It is that small. I need to get to get out of town locations and to take my dog for a nice walk on a beach. Oh yeah, and shopping. It has a tiny 1.1 liter engine. This old wreck is still safe to drive (it passes the annual MOT test every year without fail) and only cost me £ 350 2 years ago.
        Just use the transport you need for the trip you require. Just do the math. Vote for the candidate that promotes cycle and bus routes. Get fit. You'll save yourself a hell of a lot of money.
        • Ryanr14, on 06/08/2008, -0/+1Great idea, not only does high gas prices force us to use other means of transportation those means can help us get fit, and healthier. Lowering our gas and medical prices, it's genious!
    • Attol, on 06/09/2008, -0/+1It only saves you money until someone hits you. Then you won't have to save money anymore.
  • jockser, on 06/08/2008, -1/+113 out of 29
  • robthom, on 06/08/2008, -8/+3"...including real flush toilets, wider seats and power outlets."

    Dugg for fat-assed, defecating and bad media addicted americans riding around.
    I just hope the flushing toilet holes are actually built into the passenger seats. If that happens I'll be strapping myself in and living on the bus for a dollar a day!
    • Finsternis, on 06/08/2008, -0/+0Yeah - how DARE we stupid Americans actually have to defecate! For shame!
  • kd1s, on 06/08/2008, -1/+2Just two seats are a $1, with prices inching up. Still, even $25 isn't bad.
  • themisanthrope, on 06/08/2008, -0/+3There's something wrong with this picture.... Ah, yes. Doing this with a bus, on the roads that caused our transportation/fuel/emissions nightmares, instead of on the rails that we've ignored and allowed to decay while enjoying unreasonably cheap fuel, allowing us to drive a Hummer to the corner market for a pack of cigs or fly round trip from JFK to LAX (with complimentary food and beverage) for $4. Yeah, passenger miles-per-gallon of a fully loaded bus are better than two people in a Ford Explorer, but PMPG of a train will always win.
    • senatorpjt, on 06/08/2008, -0/+1Unless the train is empty, like they usually are. (passenger trains anyway)
  • ohhoe, on 06/08/2008, -0/+3I took the bolt bus during the first week so I was lucky enough to snag a dollar each way trip! The buses are so ***** nice, and I went to Philly from NYC and back. Two dollar round trip, and it only took 2 hours each way.

    yayyy boltbus.
  • RandoTheKing, on 06/08/2008, -4/+1And when it rains? What about us that work in an office? I can't show up soaking wet.
    • spitfire9703, on 06/08/2008, -0/+6Bring an umbrella......?
    • ryan83189, on 06/08/2008, -0/+6im pretty sure the bus has a roof. That might be the catch though.
    • RandoTheKing, on 06/09/2008, -0/+2Sry digg's comment system is still garbage. I was replying to the guy talking about motorcycles.
  • Skooma714, on 06/08/2008, -0/+2I take the Metro Bus in LA.

    Hopefully people don't figure out it's there and bus don't get more crowded, slow, and prone to breakdowns.
  • gooberguy, on 06/08/2008, -1/+8uh they definitly dont top out at 25 dollars. i checked from my hometown (buffalo) to NY and got this...

    outbound

    10:15 PM Depart Buffalo, Downtown Terminal Arrive New York, Port Authority Gate 309 6:15 AM 1 seat = $58.00
    11:15 PM Depart Buffalo, Downtown Terminal Arrive New York, Penn Station 7:00 AM 1 seat = $80.00

    inbound

    7:30 AM Depart New York, Port Authority Gate 309 Arrive Buffalo, Downtown Terminal 3:15 PM 1 seat = $21.00
    9:00 AM Depart New York, Penn Station Arrive Buffalo, Downtown Terminal 4:45 PM 1 seat = $32.00
    8:45 PM Depart New York, Port Authority Gate 309 Arrive Buffalo, Downtown Terminal 4:15 AM 1 seat = $32.00
    9:00 PM Depart New York, Penn Station Arrive Buffalo, Downtown Terminal 4:45 AM 1 seat = $42.00

    • XHashmeerX, on 06/08/2008, -1/+1What are you even talking about...

      Bolt Bus doesn't run to Buffalo. Nor does it depart or arrive at the Port Authority.
  • tumbleweed05, on 06/08/2008, -0/+7And people ask me why I ride the bus. This is the reason why.
  • ObamaSucks, on 06/08/2008, -9/+2Want to beat $4 gas? Drill in the US, dumbasses! Or, ride your freaking bike and "save the planet", douchebags!
    • trp5023, on 06/08/2008, -0/+3Or do both. I mean, they don't have to be mutually exclusive, and if we cut back on consumption we can make that new oil last. I don't know if you think "saving the planet" is a bad idea or if you think that those who feel that we can afford to cut back on consumption are a threat to you, but you need to lighten up.

      Now, if it would take 10 years with current technology to tap the reserves in Utah for example, we would still need to conserve for those ten years. I'll gladly ride my bike until then.

      If you can afford the pay 6 dollars a gallon, by all means, that's your right. Don't confuse responsibility with naivety
  • pjs1840, on 06/08/2008, -1/+5LOL I'm on the Bolt Bus right now! I'm coming back from NYC to DC and they have free Wireless. My ticket was like 41.50 because I ordered it a week ago, but still a heck of a deal. I'd recommend the Bolt Bus to anyone.
  • danr2c2, on 06/08/2008, -1/+12When will the BangBus be going into operation?
  • rinote, on 06/08/2008, -0/+4I use the transportation devices my mother gave me when I was born for free, suckers!
  • jwoulf, on 06/08/2008, -1/+5And I will STILL ride my 70mpg motorcycle.

    Public transit is not the answer to our transportation problems. Motorcycles are the answer.
    • austin006, on 06/08/2008, -0/+4it's sorta a multiple choice where more than one answer is correct.

      Motorcycles are definitely the more convenient choice compared to waiting around at a bus stop though. I'm saving up for a bike right now actually. Although my dad tells me they're too dangerous because people don't respect them. +he had one a while back and almost could have died when someone ran into him.
      • lmphil, on 06/08/2008, -0/+3That's true but I hope as gas prices increase people start to respect motorcyclists more as they become increasingly common.
  • senatorpjt, on 06/08/2008, -1/+1I'd still have to drive 8 hours to get to the bus stop and all I can do is go to a bunch of other northeast *****. It takes days by bus or train to go anywhere worthwhile. Besides, what's the point of traveling to another city? Just to drink in different bars? The only time I travel is to get as far away from a city as possible.
  • coolkatz321, on 06/08/2008, -0/+3I rode this to DC from NYC about a month ago... cost me about $15.50 round trip. The bus was brand new, incredibly comfortable, and there were only ~15 people on it! Add Wi-Fi and AC outlets on the bus and it was just a great ride...better than taking the plane IMO.
  • cthielen, on 06/08/2008, -0/+0"the vehicles feature amenities unheard of on traditional bus lines — including real flush toilets, wider seats and power outlets" -- okay, compared to city buses that's impressive but most city-to-city buses I've ever been on have all that ... AND a MOVIE playing (no joke!) so ... there!
  • repeater75, on 06/08/2008, -6/+1How about we just start drilling for OUR oil in Alaska and get the price back down under $2 a gallon for cripes sake.
    • weloveronpaul, on 06/08/2008, -3/+1How about we vote for Ron Paul. He'll get rid of the fed and the federal income tax and bring the dolar back to where it should be.
  • donald347, on 06/08/2008, -0/+1They had the same thing for Buses going from Toronto to Montreal
  • Paranoidmarvin, on 06/08/2008, -0/+3$4 gas? I'd be grateful for that.
    Our local station is £1.17 per litre - that's $8.74 a gallon!!
  • XHashmeerX, on 06/08/2008, -0/+2I ride this from Boston to NYC all the time. I was actually on the very first trip that the bus line ran. They had a the local news crew from Boston at the bus terminal covering it.

    Because it was the first week of operations, all the tickets were a buck. Since then I've taken it about another 6 times and have paid about $10-$15 each way, one time even with leather seats. Which is the same as the famous Boston - NYC Chinatown buses, and Greyhound Boston-NYC if booked online with their hidden coupon code. But, roomier seats, A/C outlets, and wifi, is what makes it, plus it's a bit more convenient for me personally because it drops off across the street from Penn Station.
  • Aliwalla, on 06/08/2008, -0/+2I take the train from the middle of East Sussex to London Charing Cross every day, it costs me 15 GBP (25 USD approx) return for a 1 hour journey. I never thought I'd say this, but damn you Americans and your CHEAP public transport....
    • bdbr, on 06/08/2008, -0/+1That's probably comparable to the normal prices on most US buses for similar distances. BoltBus is cheaper, but these aren't routes that would be usable for daily commuting.
    • Abomonog, on 06/09/2008, -0/+1Cheap, yes. But also useless for most of us.
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