The airlines are in trouble, the trains are mostly hopeless – travel is more difficult and expensive. But we still crave traveling.working Now new bus companies are successfully competing for your business when you travel between cities. Many offer free Wi-Fi, power outlets, even movies. The fares are amazingly cheap compared to planes and trains. And they are “green” – busses are many times more energy efficient than cars or air per passenger mile.

Most trips are under 300 miles. So far that means the Eastern seaboard,  Boston, to New York City, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington and between large cities in the Midwest, usually  through a Chicago hub.  A very limited new service has begun between the San Francisco and the Los Angeles areas.

Tip: Check out pick-up and drop-off locations carefully - they may be in a suburb. They may be outdoors - not great in a snow storm.
Tip: Check the number of bags allowed.

Check out these choices. Be aware  prices may have changed.

• Mega Bus travels the East, the Midwest and Canada. A round trip from Union Station in Minneapolis to Union Station in Chicago quoted $20 each way with a reservation. Round trip New York to Washington - from $15 to $19 each way. Memphis to Chicago - $26-$39. Kansas City to St. Louis - $16-$39. Free Wi-Fi, electrical outlets on board. some luggage limitations. The Mega Bus web site goes down for maintenance every day 3-6 am; sometimes it’s much longer. No 24-hour phone service. Often the phones don't till 6:30 or 7:00 which can be frustrating. The busses are two tier. The stairway up is cramped, good if you like the view. Beware in bad weather - the waiting area is outside.
   
• Bolt Bus travels only to major cities between Boston and Washington. Fares run  $13 to $19 each way for a New York to Baltimore trip, and riders receive a free trip for every eight paid trips. They advertise that the buses are new with more leg-room, free Wi-Fi. The first passenger to reserve on the trip travels for $1.00. No 24-hour phone lines; they don’t open until 7:30 am. Buses leaving within the next few hours are on a “walk up, first come, first served” basis. Single tier busses. Also outside waiting areas in some cities.
   
• The California Shuttle Bus runs between the Los Angeles and San Francisco areas, about 7 hours. The only choices are leaving at noon or leaving at midnight, to avoid West Coast traffic. There are a limited number of vehicles, but at $39 each way it might be worth a try. The earlier you book, the lower the fare. Pets in cages can travel, too.
   
• BusJunction.com wants to become the go-to site for bus travel. Not enough information at this point. Individual company sites are better. It does cover some routes on the older lines of Peter Pan, Greyhound and Fung Wah, which is the original inexpensive New York China Town bus.

Another article you might enjoy:

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