So, we generally take Apex Buses to get from Philly to NY and vice-versa. It's skeevy, dirty, smelly, close quarters, the air conditioning rarely works, and not-English-speaking-friendly. But it's cheaper than taking NJ Transit to Trenton and then Septa to 30th St. Station. (Generally $10-15 a ticket instead of $20-30.) But yesterday we went on the Apex Bus website to look at the schedule and couldn't find our local station anymore. So we asked around and found out about Bolt Bus. The website seemed a bit too good to be true (cheap prices, we paid about $10 a ticket, outlets, A.C. and WIFI?), but I'm composing this from the bus and it's simply gorgeous. Not to mention working WIFI. So, until they inevitably disappear off the face of the planet (like all other beautiful modes of public transportation), I'm riding Bolt Bus from now on. (Also, I get to call it Black Bolt Bus, which my people at ILC which appreciate the benefit of.)
Is this WIFI thing on moving vehicles new? Any other worthwhile NY-Philly transportation?
― Mordy, Wednesday, 11 June 2008 11:45 (seventeen years ago)
Also, I get to call it Black Bolt Bus, which my people at ILC which appreciate the benefit of.
Don't talk to the driver - or he may talk back.
― The Real Dirty Vicar, Wednesday, 11 June 2008 11:48 (seventeen years ago)
Boltbus is First group who are a big UK bus and train operator but have failed to make much of an impact beyond school busses in the US IIRC. See also megabus which now operates in the US and is a similar UK transport conglomerate.
― Ed, Wednesday, 11 June 2008 12:05 (seventeen years ago)
Is it really nice in UK too?
― Mordy, Wednesday, 11 June 2008 12:08 (seventeen years ago)
Never travel by coach in the UK so don't know but stagecoach trains are pretty decent, First's are much more variable in quality.
― Ed, Wednesday, 11 June 2008 12:10 (seventeen years ago)
There was a megalong profile of the NY Chinatown bus block last Sunday in the Times.
― Dr Morbius, Wednesday, 11 June 2008 13:15 (seventeen years ago)
link?
― Mordy, Wednesday, 11 June 2008 13:18 (seventeen years ago)
I should really, really have taken the bus on Sunday instead of the train, only I wasn't sure where to catch it and I had big luggage. Septa train from 30th St Sta was UNVENTILATED all the way to Trenton, where at least two scheduled NJT trains simply never arrived. Will not do again.
― Laurel, Wednesday, 11 June 2008 13:28 (seventeen years ago)
Chinatown Buses? What, do you want to die?
― King Boy Pato, Wednesday, 11 June 2008 14:03 (seventeen years ago)
I used to do Philly-NYC on Greyhound for $25 return, for what's it worth. I was happy with that and it was perfectly acceptable.
― King Boy Pato, Wednesday, 11 June 2008 14:06 (seventeen years ago)
My friend was on a Chinatown bus from Boston to NY that started smoking/possibly caught on fire halfway through. They just dumped the passengers on the side of the highway and the bus got towed. As for the passengers, they were picked up by the next passing Chinatown bus. It was fine. No deaths were reported.
In the beginning of Chinatown bus days--like 15 years ago or so, they used to let people bring animals on there. It is still known as "the chicken bus" to my circle of acquaintances.
― saudade, Wednesday, 11 June 2008 14:11 (seventeen years ago)
don't take the Baltimore-NY Greyhound.
NYT:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/08/nyregion/thecity/08chin.html
― Dr Morbius, Wednesday, 11 June 2008 14:13 (seventeen years ago)
They still let us bring our cat on the Chinatown bus. I don't know if they'll allow it on the glorious Black Bolt Bus, tho.
― Mordy, Wednesday, 11 June 2008 14:38 (seventeen years ago)
I'm writing this from a bus! I loves it!
― Mordy, Thursday, 2 October 2008 17:05 (sixteen years ago)
Um, you never ever take SEPTA from Trenton to Philly unless you want to squander 7 dollars. Take the RiverLINE to Camden for 1.35, and then take the PATCO for 1.15 or so. TS: $2.50 vs. $9?
― Steve (Not Stevie) (Stevie D), Saturday, 4 October 2008 02:21 (sixteen years ago)