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A low-fare bus revolution?
Posted by: Budget Travel, Friday, Mar 28, 2008, 4:13 PM

BoltBus, a new super-discount express service operated by Greyhound, launched Thursday with service from New York to D.C. for $3. BoltBus joins a growing group of low-fare bus companies such as Megabus (which is expanding service like crazy), DC2NY, and various Chinatown buses.

We took a ride on BoltBus yesterday and blogged about it here (we liked it, mostly). So can a $3 fare get you back on the bus? Share your bus experiences below!

Filed Under: buses
Reader Comments

I'm scheduling roundtrip travel from NYC to DC this weekend. I saw the information on BoltBus on your blog, and went to reserve a ticket since the price was so good. I was surprised to see that each way was roughly $15-25 dollars (depending on when you go), and my total was $40.50 for a departure on Friday and a return on Sunday. Not bad, but certainly in the same category of the prices for the Chinatown or Vamoose buslines. The $3 roundtrip price was nowhere to be found. Perhaps this was a promotion or a limited-time special?

Posted By Jill on March 31, 2008, 12:40 PM

Hi, Jill,
Thanks for your comment. Sorry to hear that you're having trouble booking the lowest fare. As we said in the blog post, the first group of seats go for the lowest price, and as those seats fill up, the later seats cost more, especially when booking for peak hours and dates.
Given that you're traveling to DC during peak tourist season weekend (with the Cherry Blossoms, etc.) on less than 7 days notice before departure, fares are higher. When I just looked now, the range seems to be $10 to $15 for the next few Friday departures from NYC to DC. If you travel on a Thursday, you may save...later in April and in early May, I see fares starting at $7 that day, and $3 for mid-week. (Fares subject to change as they book up, obviously.) Good luck!

Posted By Blog Editor on March 31, 2008, 1:06 PM

God how I like American innovation. The gas prices aren't coming down any time soon and with tolls going to and coming from you can't beat the price. I rode it last Friday morning from DC for $1.00. My only suggestion is they make a fifteen minute rest stop like the other bus companies.

Posted By Robert Rainey on March 31, 2008, 1:33 PM

I cannot no longer afford to drive to the local mountains(Blue Mountain in PA)on day trips to ski due to the price of gas. I have a season pass but must still pay between $40 to $50 each trip on fuel. I would be interested in a bus option from the Berywn area of Chester County, PA.

Posted By Tom Watson on March 31, 2008, 2:27 PM

Can you tell me when that service starts from Boston to NYC. I understand that that is coming. Thanks

Posted By Marge on March 31, 2008, 2:41 PM

Any chance they may be adding a trip between DC & Philly or Philly & DC?

Posted By Robin on March 31, 2008, 2:59 PM

I wrote the DC2NY bus from DC to NY. It was great as I was able to get the bus across the street from the hotel. It was much better than riding the metro and then walking to the greyhound bus station.
However, once the driver arrived in Manhattan he did not know how to get to 34th street and myself and another passenger gave him directions.
I would do it again and recomend it to other travelers.

Posted By al on June 1, 2008, 9:04 AM

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