Photo by Marcellina.

Megabus, one of several discount bus carriers which has set up shop in Washington over the last few years, has decided to make D.C. its newest hub. The move will significantly boost the amount of service the company will offer from its D.C. base at 10th and H Streets NW. The announcement — strategically timed to both flex muscles with new, smaller intercity bus lines popping up and to take advantage of a time when most people are trying to figure out exactly how they are going to travel during the busy holiday season — will mean 32 new double-decker Megabuses and several new jobs for the District, according to the Post. An official announcement of the expansion is expected this morning.

Since its launch in 2006, Megabus has operated service from Washington to New York, Philadelphia and Baltimore. But with the hub designation, Megabus will serve several additional destinations from Washington, including Boston, Buffalo, Charlotte, Harrisburg, Pa., Knoxville, Tenn., Pittsburgh, Raleigh/Durham, N.C., Richmond/Hampton, Va. and Toronto.

To promote the new expanded service, Megabus will be offering 10,000 free seats to the new destinations between December 15 and January 15 — sounds like a perfect way to get home for the holidays if you’re looking to save a couple of bucks.