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Somehow we missed the news that UK-based Megabus.com (which began its first service in the U.S. in Chicago in 2006) began running low-cost bus service between D.C. and New York on May 30. We spotted this Megabus bus stop sign outside Metro Center on Friday.
Much like relative newcomer BoltBus, Megabus.com offers tickets as low as $1 if you book early enough, as well as free wireless internet on board. Looks like they actually were offering totally free promotional rides between May 30 and June 5, so we're pretty bummed to have missed out on that.
Megabus.com's schedule shows the only route to and from D.C. is between here and New York. The stop is currently at 11th and G Streets NW, though an announcement on the their site indicates the stop may change locations starting Tuesday July 16. There are 11 departures daily, with a stop in Baltimore on the way.
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How in the world do these low-cost bus companies survive with the gas being priced the way it is?? Not complaining at all, but I'm definitely curious.
The bolt bus, and now this megabus thing both stop in an existing WMATA bus stop and this has been a problem from day one...sometimes I hop an S bus or 42 at this location instead of making the walk home and inevitably the sidewalk is littered with people and luggage waiting for the buses and NYC buses park right at the shelter, meaning the Metro bus have to stop farther away from the stop or out in the lane of traffic. Not a problem for me, but definitely a problem for some of the older/handicapped folks who ride the WMATA bus...
As someone who takes the bus just about every other weekend to NYC, my experiences with Mega (and others I know) have been the worst. They have been consistently late, unorganized and is the only line that makes you pay to change your reservation. All of this AND a stop in Baltimore!
While Bolt has gotten pricey awfully fast, I'd rather pay the money to not have to deal with this garbage.
More like mega-bust! zing.
Man, yet another DC-NYC line without a stop in Philly!
I think only 3 bus lines currently stop in Philly (Greyhound, Apex, New Century), but it seems like there are a dozen to NYC.
C'mon! Help us Philly folks out!
Agreed, Gary1983, I am always on the lookout for a better Philly bus service. If I ever find one, you'll read it here first!
Peter Pan Bus Line does DC to Philly. Apart from the driver having a hook for a hand, the ride's pretty smooth.
Hmm....I wonder if the bus services are aware of D.'s rules on signs on public spaces?
i'm surprised that there isn't some kind of rule about the bus stop being in public space, let alone their signage.
is it just me, or does this seem like a situation where the city could be making some money off of this, and it's not due to lack of enforcement of some public space law?
IMGoph,
I am pretty sure DC must have most laxed bus parking laws in the nation based on the cornucopia of tourist cattle cars clogging up the city each year.
gary, sommer - doesnt bolt stop in PHL? i've seen it roll by 30th st station, but their website is confusing since you cant buy a ticket to nyc. do you just tell the bus driver to stop there?
also re: mega bus stopping in b'more - my friends are taking it down from ny next weekend and it's not really IN baltimore. it's at some park and ride in white marsh.
Hmmm....I haven't experimented with Bolt, but I was under the impression that there was a direct DC-NYC route, as well as a separate Philly-NYC route.
If it is the same bus, then maybe you could ask the driver to just drop you off. I wouldn't really want to risk it, though.
is it just me, or does this seem like a situation where the city could be making some money off of this, and it's not due to lack of enforcement of some public space law?
Isn't there an ANC commissioner or someone who could investigate this, maybe even with a YouTube video expose?
Okay now I'm a little pissed that I bought tix for two trips to NYC on BoltBus and now I find out about MegaBus and the two trips would have cost half.
Damn!
Ah well I hope that Mega's service really is as bad as everyone says 'cause damn I wouldn't have minded keeping my $40 Thankyouvermuch.
I haven't taken Megabus yet, but I have to say, after my experience with Boltbus, I probably will not try. I took Boltbus for a trip to NYC and on the return trip we waited for 2 hours at the corner of 7th and 33rd in New York for the bus. Didn't get back to DC until 1:00 am when we were supposed to be back at 10:30. I think I'm sticking with DC to NY from now on.
I used to take the Megabus to London, but these used old refurbished double-decker buses. It was cheap, but not very comfortable. I assume they will use normal buses here though.
Megabus stops right outside of Union Station in Chicago, right in the middle of the road. There's no real bus stop/station there, and all the peeps waiting for the bus generally crowd the intersection and flow into Union Station when it's cold or icky outside. I don't quite get why it's ok to have a makeshift bus station w/o a permit.
took boltbus today. from nyc to dc. not bad. reserved ny2bus but was late, me not it, so ended up on a bolt. yes there is bolt from ny to philly. bolt from ny to dc does not and will not stop in philly just to drop you off. don't know if there is a separate dc - philly route. bolt today was great. $25, fast, clean, friendly driver. amtrak sat night was only slightly better but $69 one way. ugh.
anyone know of a decent ride for less than $25? hard to imagine a carrier providing that AND quality.
yeah, i was reluctant to attempt boarding bolt and asking to get off in philly.
my mother said she was sure they do that.
hmph, what she knows!
Worse bus service in my life. please don’t buy any ticket from megabus. they will take your money and left you at the bus stop. they will not refund your money and will not let you take the next bus. I am a victim of this scam and asking you not to do this mistake