If you’re a budget traveler, I’ll bet you’re already hip to the cheap tickets for the so-called Chinese buses that run between Chinatowns in cities throughout the Northeast US.
At just $15, the cost of a seat is a bargain, and it’s hard to imagine the ticket price dropping lower.
That’s why I was surprised to see an advertisement for $1 bus fare between the same cities, offered by the company Megabus. With gas as expensive as it is, how can Megabus possibly afford to sell its seats so cheap?
I don’t have the answer to that question, but you may well be weighing the value of your life against marginal cost savings. After another crash of a Fung Wah bus a few days ago– this time in New York City– budget travelers may want to reconsider the cheap bus route.
Have you ever taken the Chinese buses in the Northeast? Share your experience in the comments below!
Photo: Naomi A. (creative commons)
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9 Comments... join the discussion!
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Eva-
Thanks for the clarification! I visited Megabus's website before I wrote this piece and you're right–it seems that the advertised special is $1, but after playing around with itineraries for a good 30 minutes, I couldn't find a single one that was lower than $14.99, right in line with the "Chinese" bus competitors. I also found their website frustratingly opaque to use. While the comapny IS established in the UK, it doesn't have much information about the company or its history. It does, however, seem to have a better safety record than the Chinese buses, which have been under increasing scrutiny, at least in NYC, for numerous transportation and safety violations.
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I’m a little shaky on the details, but I think Megabus operates along the same lines as the low cost air carriers in Europe, like Ryanair or EasyJet, that offer .99 cent fares within specific time frames and on very limited seats, and then once those deals to lure people in are gone, they sell the remaining tickets at more normal prices. Megabus is a big company though – it started in the UK and operates across the US and bits of Canada. It’s not anymore likely to kill you than your average Greyhound, I don’t think!
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No experience personally, but an acquaintance of mine took one of these (I think it was Fung Wah) from NYC to Boston. Her bus got a flat and everyone on board had to sit for 2 hours on the side of the highway until the spare was ready to roll. Not necessarily a near-death experience, but certainly a pain.
Whatever the safety records of these lines, though, I bet ticket sales will continue to climb as long as gas prices remain high.
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Eva-
Thanks for the clarification! I visited Megabus’s website before I wrote this piece and you’re right–it seems that the advertised special is $1, but after playing around with itineraries for a good 30 minutes, I couldn’t find a single one that was lower than $14.99, right in line with the “Chinese” bus competitors. I also found their website frustratingly opaque to use. While the comapny IS established in the UK, it doesn’t have much information about the company or its history. It does, however, seem to have a better safety record than the Chinese buses, which have been under increasing scrutiny, at least in NYC, for numerous transportation and safety violations.
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Hal- I've taken the Fung Wah (NYC-Boston) and Lucky Star (same route) and had similar experiences as your acquaintance. The frequency with which these mishaps–big and small–occur have definitely raised concerns in New York state. I think you're right about sales continuing to go up, but I also think that as they do, regulatory agencies will take a closer look at the safety records and business practices of these buses.
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No experience personally, but an acquaintance of mine took one of these (I think it was Fung Wah) from NYC to Boston. Her bus got a flat and everyone on board had to sit for 2 hours on the side of the highway until the spare was ready to roll. Not necessarily a near-death experience, but certainly a pain.
Whatever the safety records of these lines, though, I bet ticket sales will continue to climb as long as gas prices remain high.
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I took the megabus… last week to NYC from Baltimore. $10 on the way up and 8 for the trip back. it was great actually… no problems… I also spoke with a couple that took the boltbus from DC to NYC… and they did get the $1 fare
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I have to admit that I am a sucker for a deal. And at $1 for a trip from DC to NYC, I'd feel like I just won the lotto! Thanks for sharing your experiences, Michelle!
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