Comments on: A bus that’s built for business? http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2007/10/08/a-bus-thats-built-for-business/ Living the first class life -- at coach prices Sat, 30 Aug 2008 11:34:53 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.2 By: Upgrades and Downgrades — November 19, 2007 — Cornucopia edition » Upgrade: Travel Better http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2007/10/08/a-bus-thats-built-for-business/#comment-17957 Upgrades and Downgrades — November 19, 2007 — Cornucopia edition » Upgrade: Travel Better Tue, 20 Nov 2007 03:27:39 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2007/10/08/a-bus-thats-built-for-business/#comment-17957 [...] page from the Skybus playbook, is charging $5 for early boarding on its buses. It’s not a bus with free wifi, but it’s a start, I [...] […] page from the Skybus playbook, is charging $5 for early boarding on its buses. It’s not a bus with free wifi, but it’s a start, I […]

]]> By: Cari http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2007/10/08/a-bus-thats-built-for-business/#comment-16725 Cari Wed, 10 Oct 2007 18:04:17 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2007/10/08/a-bus-thats-built-for-business/#comment-16725 The bus travel industry is one to watch as travel becomes more and more of a hassle for short distances. Personally, I won't fly anywhere that drive time is The bus travel industry is one to watch as travel becomes more and more of a hassle for short distances. Personally, I won’t fly anywhere that drive time is

]]> By: Mark Ashley http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2007/10/08/a-bus-thats-built-for-business/#comment-16722 Mark Ashley Wed, 10 Oct 2007 11:48:48 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2007/10/08/a-bus-thats-built-for-business/#comment-16722 Kevin, Re: bathroom on Greyhound, I'll be honest, I don't remember if it didn't HAVE a bathroom, or if it was out of order. All I remember is that THAT bus didn't have a bathroom that functioned. This was an OLD bus, too. Not the modern ones you see today. Re: buses being filthier in the less developed world than they are on Greyhound, I sure hope that's not the standard by which our public transport is judged. Yes, I've been on windowless buses without bathrooms, with wooden slats as floors, bouncing along dirt roads while passengers tried to hold on to their small livestock. And that was a fun experience, under the conditions. But that's not a "bus built for business" in the developed world. Re: the condition of the bus not being the responsibility of the bus company, the goo was illustrative, not the sole example of onboard filth. Sure, you can't control every passenger, but you could sure try to tidy the vehicle up between trips. (This was the start of the trip, so a cleaning had supposedly occurred.) There were papers and crumbled-up paper bags from fast food restaurants scattered throughout the bus. One woman complained that she had gum stuck to her pants. At that point (1993), the Peter Pan and Greyhound experiences were worlds apart, and there was no incentive for me to go back. Why bother, when there's a superior competitor? In the years since, I know that Greyhound has tried to improve its image, including new buses. That's good, but I was seriously turned off to them at that point. I hope they're better now. But I haven't had a good reason to travel by Greyhound or any of their long-haul bus competitors since 1994. Kevin,

Re: bathroom on Greyhound, I’ll be honest, I don’t remember if it didn’t HAVE a bathroom, or if it was out of order. All I remember is that THAT bus didn’t have a bathroom that functioned. This was an OLD bus, too. Not the modern ones you see today.

Re: buses being filthier in the less developed world than they are on Greyhound, I sure hope that’s not the standard by which our public transport is judged. Yes, I’ve been on windowless buses without bathrooms, with wooden slats as floors, bouncing along dirt roads while passengers tried to hold on to their small livestock. And that was a fun experience, under the conditions. But that’s not a “bus built for business” in the developed world.

Re: the condition of the bus not being the responsibility of the bus company, the goo was illustrative, not the sole example of onboard filth. Sure, you can’t control every passenger, but you could sure try to tidy the vehicle up between trips. (This was the start of the trip, so a cleaning had supposedly occurred.) There were papers and crumbled-up paper bags from fast food restaurants scattered throughout the bus. One woman complained that she had gum stuck to her pants.

At that point (1993), the Peter Pan and Greyhound experiences were worlds apart, and there was no incentive for me to go back. Why bother, when there’s a superior competitor?

In the years since, I know that Greyhound has tried to improve its image, including new buses. That’s good, but I was seriously turned off to them at that point. I hope they’re better now. But I haven’t had a good reason to travel by Greyhound or any of their long-haul bus competitors since 1994.

]]> By: Kevin Beane http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2007/10/08/a-bus-thats-built-for-business/#comment-16721 Kevin Beane Wed, 10 Oct 2007 10:56:36 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2007/10/08/a-bus-thats-built-for-business/#comment-16721 I've never been on a Greyhound without a bathroom, and I've been on dozens since the early 90's. You sure about that detail? I'm pretty much all about any bus service, and Greyhound is not excluded from that. I wouldn't wish goo on anyone, but it seems strange that a travel blogger would a) complain abou the "filth" of Greyhound...most of the undeveloped world is "filthier" than a Greyhound bus, and b) write off a transport business based on a single negative experience likely out of immediate control of the proprietors. I mean, I could leave some goo for someone to find on a DC2NY bus, and if you find it before the operators, then what? I’ve never been on a Greyhound without a bathroom, and I’ve been on dozens since the early 90’s. You sure about that detail?

I’m pretty much all about any bus service, and Greyhound is not excluded from that. I wouldn’t wish goo on anyone, but it seems strange that a travel blogger would a) complain abou the “filth” of Greyhound…most of the undeveloped world is “filthier” than a Greyhound bus, and b) write off a transport business based on a single negative experience likely out of immediate control of the proprietors.

I mean, I could leave some goo for someone to find on a DC2NY bus, and if you find it before the operators, then what?

]]> By: Mark Ashley http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2007/10/08/a-bus-thats-built-for-business/#comment-16702 Mark Ashley Tue, 09 Oct 2007 20:42:58 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2007/10/08/a-bus-thats-built-for-business/#comment-16702 Megabus, which started off with a Chicago hub, and has been expanding nationally, is indeed cheap. I actually posted about them briefly during one of my stints at <a href="http://www.consumerist.com/" rel="nofollow">consumerist.com</a>. Link: http://consumerist.com/consumer/travel/get-on-the-bus-1-tickets-in-the-midwest-246036.php But, like the Chinatown buses, Megabus is still "just" a bus. What drew me to DC2NY is the wi-fi, which, to me, sets it apart. Megabus, which started off with a Chicago hub, and has been expanding nationally, is indeed cheap. I actually posted about them briefly during one of my stints at consumerist.com. Link:
http://consumerist.com/consumer/travel/get-on-the-bus-1-tickets-in-the-midwest-246036.php

But, like the Chinatown buses, Megabus is still “just” a bus. What drew me to DC2NY is the wi-fi, which, to me, sets it apart.

]]> By: James http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2007/10/08/a-bus-thats-built-for-business/#comment-16701 James Tue, 09 Oct 2007 20:05:02 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2007/10/08/a-bus-thats-built-for-business/#comment-16701 I know its not just NYC-DC but I think for the LA area a site called megabus should be mentioned. I haven't taken them yet but their bus fares are well priced and are a good solution to the lack of public transportation in LA. I think the website is <a>Megabus.com<a> I know its not just NYC-DC but I think for the LA area a site called megabus should be mentioned. I haven’t taken them yet but their bus fares are well priced and are a good solution to the lack of public transportation in LA.

I think the website is Megabus.com

]]> By: Mark Ashley http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2007/10/08/a-bus-thats-built-for-business/#comment-16700 Mark Ashley Tue, 09 Oct 2007 19:30:45 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2007/10/08/a-bus-thats-built-for-business/#comment-16700 Sure, but Chinatown buses don't have free wi-fi. Sure, but Chinatown buses don’t have free wi-fi.

]]> By: NWfans http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2007/10/08/a-bus-thats-built-for-business/#comment-16697 NWfans Tue, 09 Oct 2007 18:25:50 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2007/10/08/a-bus-thats-built-for-business/#comment-16697 There are many companies running NY Chinatown DC Chinatown for many years. They have very good frequency. I think the price is $20 OW and $35 RT. Google "new york washington chinatown bus". There are many companies running NY Chinatown DC Chinatown for many years. They have very good frequency. I think the price is $20 OW and $35 RT. Google “new york washington chinatown bus”.

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