Online - December 03, 2008

Get on the Bus, Gus

Chic New Bus Companies

Take a bus? Really? Snuggle up to a Greyhound crackhead or brave ankle-deep garbage on the Chinatown Express? Listen, Sir Amtrak First Class DC Shuttle, it just so happens that a slew of new bus companies offer ecofriendly travel in spiffy coaches with plush seats, power outlets, and free Wi-Fi — for a lot less than Delta.

BoltBus (Boston/DC/NYC/Philly)
The blazing red cutie has bequeathed a new verb: Bolt. As in, “I’m Bolting to Philly for a booty call.” Reliable Wi-Fi means you and fellow tech-savvy passengers can Yelp while Bolting while Twittering. Leather seats, well-lit pickup/drop-off points, and fares starting as low as $1. For real.

DC2NY (DC to NYC)
The self-described “upscale bus” grooves with roomy seats, laptop-ready tables, free Wi-Fi, and complimentary bottled water. It’s democracy-in-motion: Riders vote on whether or not they want to see a movie. Bonus: Courteous drivers speak in complete sentences. One way costs $25.

Megabus (US/Canada)
For less than the price of a coffee, UK-based Megabus will whisk you between major cities in the Midwest, Northeast U.S., and Canada. Advance booking fares start at $1. We recently rode from NYC to DC on a cheery double-decker, enjoying uninterrupted streaming videos on our laptop. Total cost: $19.

And everyone offers lots of legroom, generous luggage limits, and no airport wait times. Talk about a fare deal.

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