Boreal, I would say no.  I just looked through my photos of our bus and there isn't bike racks on the front or rear of the bus.

there isn't bike racks on the front or rear of the bus.

On Greyhound, they put the bikes in the cargo hold under the seat.  Cyclists bitch about Greyhound service.  I did have somebody ship my bike to me using Greyhound once, and it came out ok.

Megabus does not allow you to take a bicycle.

We had a thread a while back on Megabus.com, how about a more general thread on intercity bus services?

I'll start with a rant...

 

I need to go to Columbus next Saturday.  I need to be in Columbus by about 9:30 AM.  I thought I'd check the Greyhound schedules.  They suck.  Here are my options:

 

Departs (CLE)  Arrives (COL)    Duration 

04:30am     06:55am     2h, 25m

09:15am     11:59am     2h, 44m

11:45am     02:30pm     2h, 45m

03:00pm     05:25pm     2h, 25m

07:15pm     09:55pm     2h, 40m

11:00pm     01:25am     2h, 25m

 

This isn't the first time I've needed to go to Columbus and be there between 8 AM and 9:30 AM.  There have been many occasions in the past several years both on Saturdays and during the week. 

 

It's no wonder that Greyhound has had to file bankruptcy, what, twice in the past 20 years? And ended up in the red again a few years ago.  They seem to have no clue as how to provide usable service. 

Maybe we ought to try to get Megabus to operate between the 3Cs? Lakefront Trailways offers a single bus daily down I-71, but with one bus a day it's not that convenient. The lone bus leaves Cleveland in the late afternoon and operates via Akron....

 

http://route.lakefrontlines.com/listroutes.asp?rt_ID=11&rt_DIR=out

Nope, one bus a day doesn't cut it. That's almost as bad as Amtrak.  And, I say almost as bad because at least the bus offers daylight service!

 

Megabus between the 3-C's would be fine with me. It's going to be a while before the 3-C Ohio Hub trains start running.  We need something usable in the mean time.

Greyhound bus parent sold for $2.8B

Britain's biggest bus company will pay an 11% premium to Thursday's closing price; company will become largest operator of yellow school buses in the U.S.

February 9 2007: 6:19 AM EST

 

LONDON (Reuters) -- Britain's biggest bus company, FirstGroup PLC, said Friday it had agreed to buy Laidlaw International Inc., the U.S. operator of inter-city Greyhound buses, for $2.8 billion plus debt.

 

FirstGroup said it would pay $35.25 for each Laidlaw (Charts) share, an 11 percent premium to Thursday's closing price, in a deal that will also make it the largest operator of yellow school buses in the United States.

 

"FirstGroup's acquisition of Laidlaw will considerably enhance the group's existing activities in North America, which themselves have grown strongly since we first invested in the U.S. in 1999," FirstGroup Chief Executive Moir Lockhead said.

 

Find this article at:

http://money.cnn.com/2007/02/09/news/international/bc.firstgroup.laidlaw.reut/index.htm 

 

I wonder if the new owners will have any fresh ideas about how to improve Greyhound services.  Lately, Greyhound has been trying the long failed Amtrak policy (forced by Congress and idiot consultants like Mercer) of trying to cut their way to prosperity.

I wonder if the new owners will have any fresh ideas about how to improve Greyhound services.  Lately, Greyhound has been trying the long failed Amtrak policy (forced by Congress and idiot consultants like Mercer) of trying to cut their way to prosperity.

 

wow, still hold a grudge against mercer after 12 years?

^well, it was renewed a few years ago when I saw a powerpoint transcript of a presentation they gave about privatizing Amtrak.  They went through an entire litanny of successful privatizations of formerly government owned industries in Britain to show how marvelously privatization works.  The problem was, the one example of British privatization that was applicable to Amtrak was never mentioned-- British Rail.  Nope, not mentioned once anywhere in the presentation-- they are morons IMHO.  And that time period was at the height of the problems that BR was having.

 

That aside, let's get back on topic:  Anyone think Greyhound's new British owners will bring  in some fresh thinking and maybe more well thought out services and better marketing?

 

I hope so.  Greyhound could be so much more useable than it is.

I saw this mentioned in another thread awhile back, but I don't believe the conversation went anywhere. Has anyone taken/seen/etc this bus?

 

I seriously hope this is happening. Having not only Megabus to Chicago, but now NYC would be amazing. Air travel is such a pain and these destinations are so close it is almost not worth flying.

 

Please give me the 411!

http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php?topic=8153.msg151739;topicseen#msg151739

 

Can these be merged?

You'll have to go check it out for yourself...I believe it leaves from Asia Plaza, but I've never actually seen it.

 

Blinky?

8Shades?

Check out the thread cited by MTS above, which contains all the information I've been able to gather on the Chinatown bus.

 

Flyers I've seen around the neighborhood say it leaves from Asia Plaza, but there is also a sign on a building at Payne and E. 36th, across from Payne Avenue Lofts, that advertises the bus.

 

I will post more information if I get it.

"Air travel is such a pain and these destinations are so close it is almost not worth flying."

 

I have to disagree (though I admit I'm not a fan of driving, period) - I don't mind paying extra for a 45-minute flight to Chicago (vs. a six-hour drive), and an hour-ish flight to NYC (vs. a hellish 8-hour zombie drive on the PA Turnpike). Plus, you never get this when you're driving:

 

 

I'm late to this thread...I've ridden Greyhound over 30 times, about 1 out of 5 times it's pretty bad but sometimes it's actually fun if someone halfway sane is a good conversationalist.  I've seen many arguments, one or two fist fights, many semi-violent mentally ill people, one gun threat, seen guys smoking pot on the front steps of the station, and been offered drugs and women by individuals prowling the parking lots.  I think the big difference with Megabus is that by use of the internet it cuts out a lot of Greyhound's low class clientele and obviously the Amish.  The big problem I have with Greyhound is the total lack of communication in the stations. You rarely know which gate to stand in front of and the whole reboarding situation adds tons to the confusion.  People cut in line all the time, the drivers don't care, and if there's not a seat left you're stuck waiting for the next bus which could be 6 or 8 hours.  Obviously Greyhound's a bad choice if you're heading to town for business but if you're drifting around sleeping on couches you always have the option to get up and catch the next bus unlike air travel.  One time I got in an argument with one of my friends in Chicago and I was like "I'm getting out of here!" and I just got on the next bus and left.

"Air travel is such a pain and these destinations are so close it is almost not worth flying."

 

I have to disagree (though I admit I'm not a fan of driving, period) - I don't mind paying extra for a 45-minute flight to Chicago (vs. a six-hour drive), and an hour-ish flight to NYC (vs. a hellish 8-hour zombie drive on the PA Turnpike). Plus, you never get this when you're driving:

 

MayDay...have I told you I love like the Barney's warehouse sale, lately?

 

I can't see myself sitting on that cramped ass bus.  If it more than 1 hr. 15 min driving, I need to be on a plane.

 

Although flights to CHI/NYC, at times, due to ATC, can sometimes last well over an hour.  Which is pain on the toochie!

Looks like MayDay was using his camera when electronics were suppose to be put away. ;)

You're darned tootin' I was! :-D

Check out the thread cited by MTS above, which contains all the information I've been able to gather on the Chinatown bus.

 

Flyers I've seen around the neighborhood say it leaves from Asia Plaza, but there is also a sign on a building at Payne and E. 36th, across from Payne Avenue Lofts, that advertises the bus.

 

I will post more information if I get it.

 

is there a website or phone number?

 

also, is there an actual station or shelter or something...or does it just leave from the curb like megabus???

I cant find a megabus ticket for less than 30 bucks round trip

this thing seems like a dirty rolling by the hour motel

is there a website or phone number?

 

also, is there an actual station or shelter or something...or does it just leave from the curb like megabus???

 

Here's what it says about the Chinatown buses to Ohio destinations at:

http://www.nychinatown.org/directory/m_bus.html

 

TL Travel Bus. 1 bus daily.

pickup/dropoff: NYC, 96 Canal St. (at Eldridge St.)

to Columbus, Dayton, Cincinnati

347-203-2209 (NY), 917-288-6888

 

 

 

Five Stars Travel. 1 bus daily, Sat-Thurs.

From NYC: 21 Allen St ticket office.

to Youngstown, OH.

to Canton-Akron, OH.

to Cleveland, OH. Asia Plaza, 2999 30th St

 

note: little, to no english spoken. 212-625-1925 (NY), 917-578-5861 (cell)

I cant find a megabus ticket for less than 30 bucks round trip

 

...which is still cheaper than Greyhound.

 

I have regularly gotten the $2.50 r/t fare...you just gotta check the site everyday and grab them as soon as they put them up.

Megabus now goes direct from Cleveland to Pittsburgh! The times are convenient too!

 

Actually, they added a whole bunch of cities like Ann Arbor and Louisville. Columbus is back on as well! woohoo!  :clap:

But still no Dayton area stop :-( ....even though the Columbus bus has to pass by Dayton on the way to Indy.

 

Although my experience with Megabus was quite pleasant, I've heard a few people (students) who have taken it lately and had bad experience with the bus breaking down, heat not working, and the bus being extremely late.  Although these things will always be issues for any bus company, it seems like I've heard people complaining about these problems more often, so hopefully they aren't too widespread.

Here in Cleveland, I picked up a friend of mine arriving from Chicago last Thursday night. The bus was quite full -- and probably the most full I've seen it except for during the holidays. Wonder what Friday night's run was like? Especially since Friday and Sundays are the busiest travel days of the week.

according to new schedule starting april 1, cleveland will get 3 trips daily to/from chicago, 2 of these continuing/starting in pittsburgh. 

Also, it looks like they added a Cincinnati - Columbus route.

 

EDIT:  So from Columbus, it looks like one route will go Columbus - Cincinnati - Indianapolis - Chicago and the other one will go Columbus - Indianapolis - Chicago

Also, it looks like they added a Cincinnati - Columbus route.

 

EDIT:  So from Columbus, it looks like one route will go Columbus - Cincinnati - Indianapolis - Chicago and the other one will go Columbus - Indianapolis - Chicago

 

yeah, I'm very excited to see the Cincy to Cbus route!!! Next year I can go up to see my friends at OSU and go shopping at Easton on the weekends, woohoo!

Megabus in Columbus (Part 2):

 

Megabus.com will bring low-cost bus trips to Columbus in April

By Paul Wilson

The Columbus Dispatch

Tuesday, March 6, 2007

 

Megabus.com is giving Columbus another shot.  In 2006, the new discount bus service left central Ohio after only two months of lackluster sales.  But the company is betting more advertising will improve results as it adds service in four other cities.

 

“We're going to market it more in Columbus this time,” said Dale Moser, president and chief operating officer of the Stagecoach Group, megabus.com's United Kingdom-based parent.  “We've had a number of people send us requests: 'When are you coming back? We didn't know you were here.'”

 

Starting April 2, megabus.com will offer two daily roundtrips to Chicago with stops in Indianapolis.  New this year will be a daily roundtrip between Columbus and Cincinnati.  Fares start as low as $1, but go up based on availability.

 

MORE: http://www.dispatch.com

 

^ If this is the case, they should at least offer a Dayton stop since it is along the way.

I just found a $2 round trip columbus to cincinnati trip.  The cincinnati bus leaves at 5:50 am however, but you leave columbus at 10:50 pm

Any plans for Cleveland-Columbus service?  Until the Ohio Hub gets up and running, I need something better than the lousy schedules offered by Greyhound.

^ If this is the case, they should at least offer a Dayton stop since it is along the way.

 

Why would Dayton be on the way...I would imagine they will shoot straight down I-71 thus bypassing Dayton.  Its a much quicker route, and has to be cheaper to operate.

 

Any plans for Cleveland-Columbus service?  Until the Ohio Hub gets up and running, I need something better than the lousy schedules offered by Greyhound.

 

I agree, if they are going to have a route from Cincy to Cbus...why not extend the service to Cleveland.  It would seem to make sense to connect the dots so to speak.

^ If this is the case, they should at least offer a Dayton stop since it is along the way.

 

Why would Dayton be on the way...I would imagine they will shoot straight down I-71 thus bypassing Dayton.  Its a much quicker route, and has to be cheaper to operate.

 

I believe he was refering to the Columbus - Indy - Chicago route, not the Columbus - Cincy - Indy - Chicago route

^ LOL, yes thank you dfly.

Oh...I see!  That does seem more doable than the Cbus Cincy thing.  But even I-70 sits 7 or so miles north of the CBD.  They might be open to stopping along I-70 at a park and ride type thing, but I still don't see them going out of their way to hit up downtown Dayton.  I hope I am wrong, but I bet that is there rationale.

They might be open to stopping along I-70 at a park and ride type thing, but I still don't see them going out of their way to hit up downtown Dayton.  I hope I am wrong, but I bet that is there rationale.

 

That's good enough for me.  The City of Dayton has reported been in talks with Greyhound about relocating them by the airport, so why not talk to Megabus and see what they have to say about a stop right off I-70.

 

:clap:

looking at that map, a louisville to cleveland route would be pretty cool.

Awesome, now the link between Columbus and Pittsburgh need to be closed so I can take Megabus to Pittsburgh from Cincy.  Plus Pittsburgh's downtown parking fees are that of cities like Chicago.  I was quite surprised that a city the size of Pittsburgh commands $20 a day for their parking garages downtown.

Has anybody done a study to figure out if Megabus is taking travelers away from Greyhound, the airlines, or from motoring?

I have a study with a sample size of 3. My sister, sister-in-law and cousin now use it instead of flying to Chicago.

I have a study with a sample size of 3. My sister, sister-in-law and cousin now use it instead of flying to Chicago.

thanks.  I am loathe to ask this, but how was the Indiana Toll Road?  We drove it twice in 2005 and it was beyond capacity and slowed down to a crawl.  We probably lost an hour or more.  (and this was out in the countryside far from any busy exits!)

i wish that map was of rail options, but enhanced transportation options are always good. 

Awesome, now the link between Columbus and Pittsburgh need to be closed so I can take Megabus to Pittsburgh from Cincy.  Plus Pittsburgh's downtown parking fees are that of cities like Chicago.  I was quite surprised that a city the size of Pittsburgh commands $20 a day for their parking garages downtown.

 

The parking rates are an indicator of successful public policy. Sometime in the late seventies, I think, Pittsburgh inverted the property tax structure to place more of the burden on land and less on improvements. That made land too valuable for surface parking and removed the disincentive for development and renovation, and encouraged development downtown along with increased transit ridership and growth of transit service.

 

If you don't have an alternative to driving to Pittsburgh, you can park in one of the outlying park-and-ride lots by a T station (free at Dormont), and take the light rail downtown.

Has anybody done a study to figure out if Megabus is taking travelers away from Greyhound, the airlines, or from motoring?

 

Well in my case, I can tell you that it didn't affect Greyhound or airlines.  Cincinnati is only a 4 hour drive from Chicago so it doesn't pay to drive and I will never take Greyhound again.  My last time riding it was in 1996.  It was between Megabus and car travel in my particular case.

The parking rates are an indicator of successful public policy. Sometime in the late seventies, I think, Pittsburgh inverted the property tax structure to place more of the burden on land and less on improvements. That made land too valuable for surface parking and removed the disincentive for development and renovation, and encouraged development downtown along with increased transit ridership and growth of transit service.

 

That really is a great tax structure to have...especially if you want to encourage more 'urban' environments and higher densities.  I wish more places would use this model!