“The bathroom is in the back of the bus. Gentlemen, if you miss…you have to see me! Clean it up please!!”
‘Straight-to-the-point’ Douglas would be driving me and about 75 other passengers aboard a bus headed three hours southeast of Chicago to Indianapolis.
“Barring any traffic, we should be there on time, let’s just be safe. Indianapolis will be there,” he said during his slightly odd and slightly amusing pre-trip spiel.
Megabus is a fairly new long-haul bus company in the US and Canada owned by the much larger Coach bus company based in New Jersey. Its marketing idea mimics that of many long-distance bus companies I’d seen abroad. On the side of their buses they tout a $1 ride. I have known a traveler or two to snag these deals, but they are few and far between. It’s usually for the rides that get in around midnight or leave very early in the morning and there are only a couple ‘dollar seats’ for each trip. But if you’re flexible and on a tight budget – it’s a great deal. In full disclosure I too got a very good deal on my tickets (read: free) because I’d be writing this story on Megabus. The tickets I did reserve would have cost me $29 each way which seems like a pretty good deal, I think.
Megabus offers affordable regional bus service between nearly 50 cities from five hubs at New York, Philadelphia, Washington DC, Chicago, and Toronto. If you are based in New York City, you can hop a bus to DC or Boston. The buses in the Midwest connect cities like Cincinnati, Cleveland, Detroit, Minneapolis, and Chicago.
It was Thanksgiving week so my bus was largely filled with college students heading home for the holiday. I was heading to Bloomington, Indiana for a visit with my cousins. Well, the bus was going to Indianapolis…then we’d drive the final hour down to Bloomington. There are some double-decker buses in their fleet, but we were stuffed into a standard coach. The bus itself seemed pretty new with plush fabric seats, metal foot rests, fold-down TV screens (not sure what would be showing on these as they were off the entire time), a bathroom in the back, and pull-down screens for the windows to block out the already-setting sun in the western sky. On all their buses and on their website, they promote the fact that they have free Wi-Fi on the bus – a big plus to me since I was going to make this my office for the next three hours. But, to my dismay (and discomfort) the seats were pretty tight with not as much legroom causing my laptop to barely fit on my lap without the screen bending in against the seat in front of me, making typing a slightly cramped affair.
In fact, as I was rushing to the bus stop, located right outside Union Station in downtown Chicago, I wondered why I didn’t just look into taking a train. Or did I look? I couldn’t even remember. But it was too late now, I was already a sardine in this metal tube on wheels heading to Hoosier country.
So what can I really say about a bus ride? It was a pretty standard inter-state type bus, wrapped in a slick marketing campaign. But at least, the US is catching on with offering more public transportation routes to and fro. Now if only our train system could be upgraded to be on par to that of the European Union.
All that was missing was a small snack cart or offering. I was starving and had hoped to grab a sandwich on the way but was running late and did not want to make a fuss and possibly miss the bus.
A few days later, I boarded my return bus with a slight feeling of dread. But this one was a double-decker. It was like I was in London, but without anything British at all. I climbed upstairs and found an aisle seat next to a thin girl (have to admit, this is a plus for obvious reasons). This bus seemed a bit roomier and my knees weren’t hitting the seat back in front of me—keep in mind I’m only 5’4” tall. I was typing this post as we cruised through the fields of corn and soybeans and wind farms of Indiana. This bus seemed to be full of a mix of clientele and not just college students like the first ride. So all in all, not too bad. Not that college students are bad. Well, some are. Anyway, I realized on the way back that I’ve been out of the traveler mode for quite some time, so, really, for the price, this bus was clean and comfy. Of course I didn’t pay for the bad breath of the passenger next to me. She was graciously skinny and didn’t crowd me, but when she woke up from her nap…wooo…it smelled like something died in there.
Oh…and just like on the ride out, the Wi-Fi stopped working. If they are going to advertise free Wi-Fi on their buses, they really should improve the system since it only seemed to work 50% of the time on both my trips.
To see if they are in your city or to book your next bus ride—check out Megabus.
If you didn't fit, I would have to cut myself in half.
aah well, i did bag a $1 ticket. but that was BoltBus for a ride from NY Penn Station to Boston. Leather seats, clean restroom most importantly clean air! Unlike the Fungwah bus (ny-boston-ny) which at times is stale air and is "air-conditioned". At times it feels like "air-conditioned slaughter" rather than "air conditioned bus ride".
and my co-reader Kevin who i always see following this blog like me would't have to cut himself into half between the seat in Boltbus 🙂
MegaBus Customer Service SUCKS!!!
I was abandoned by MegaBus over the Christmas Holidays in NYC. I understand there was bad weather coming, but the other bus lines were still running. MegaBus canceled all service on Dec 26th and did not bother to send out emails to customers until the 27th letting us know. I think we figured it out when we were standing outside in the cold with a useless ticket. Their website said to call to reschedule or get a refund. It took 3 days to get in touch with anyone on the phone and then they said they were working on refunds. On Jan 4th they sent a blanket email saying that refunds would be slow due to the number of requested refunds. (go figure) It is now the 12th and still no refund or any further info. Emails go unanswered. AVOID at All Costs. Much better, more reliable companies out there. My new favorite is DC2NY.
I recently took the bus from Pitts. to New York and back over Labor Day weekend. The ride was okay, the the bus was so freezing cold that we were all miserable from New York to Pitts. The driver was rude when he told us that there was nothing he could do about the air conditioner and we would just have to deal with it. By the time we got to Pitts. we were all frozen and couldn"t wait to get off. Although it is a great bargain please do somthing about the way you cool the busses. If I ever do use this service again I'll be sure to pack my winter coat and blanket for sure. Too bad.
If you enjoy being anal raped by anonymous forces that hide behind a thin veil of customer service than MEGABUS is for you. I am speaking particularly about the DC to Philly route, but it is all the same. And by the way, this company is a piece of shit.
Sorry Bmoney. Being anal raped sounds pretty bad. Glad that didn't happen to me!
MEGABUS was a huge letdown. I have never written a bad review for anything before, but I felt I needed to this time. Myself and three friends took the bus from Pitts to NYC and experienced the staff screaming at passengers on MULTIPLE occassions – it was extremely unprofessional and rude. They yelled at people for their bag sizes, for where they wanted to sit, for the wifi not working and so everyone should just deal with it and quit complaining and for people with infants needing to sit with their children to suck it up. The screaming lasted for hours and it was clearly upsetting the paying customers who were not involved in the situations. It was freezing cold – at two stops that lasted over an hour they left the bus doors open in 28 degree weather the entire waiting period. We were hoping our ride back to Pittsburgh would be better, but it was just as bad as the first ride. None of us will ride MEGABUS again nor reccomend it to anyone else.
Sorry you had such an awful time Jan. You should definitely contact Megabus about this as they really need to know. Thanks for checking in here.
I WAS EXTREAMELY DISAPPOINTED WHEN I TOOK THE MEGABUS. BACK IN AUGUST OF THIS YEAR, MYSELF AND MY CHILDREN WENT TO BUFFALO NEW YORK. WE CAUGHT THE BUS AT THE WHITE MARSH STOP IN BALTIMORE. WHEN WE GOT ON THE BUS WELL, INTO THE RIDE SOME PEOPLE STARTED STANDING UP FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME, JUST TALKING TO OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS WHO THEY WERE NOT SETTING NEXT TOO, WHILE THE BUS WAS MOVING VERY, VERY FAST! . THEIR WAS THIS ONE FOREIGN MOTHER WHO HAD HER THREE SON'S WITH HER,SHE LET HER SON'S HORSE PLAY AND WRESTLE IN THE SEATS, WHICH WAS VERY DANGEROUS AND TO TOP IT ALL OFF THE BUS DRIVER DID NOT SAY A WORD. ( IT WAS REALLY CRAZY TO SAY THE LEAST.) NOW THIS WENT ON FOR THE ENTIRE TRIP UP. NOW COMING BACK IT WAS JUST AS RIDICULOUS, THE BUS WAS 5 HOURS LATE PULLING OFF, DUE TO THE FACT THAT SOMEONE HAD GOTTEN SICK AND REGURGITATED ON THE BUS COMING FROM NIAGARA FALLS NY. THE TWO BUSE DRIVERS THAT HAD BEEN ASSIGNED TO DRIVE ALL OF US BACK TO BALTIMORE AND D.C. WERE THE MOST NASTIEST DRIVER'S I HAD EVER RUN ACROSS. THEY WERE RUDE TO THE PAYING CUSTOMERS AND VERY, VERY NASTY AND KURT IN THEIR TONE. NEEDLESS TO SAY I WILL NEVER, NEVER, NEVER TAKE THE MEGABUS AGAIN IN LIFE. D. JONES
Hi D-
Sorry you had such a bad experience. I suggest you contact megabus directly. Hopefully they want to improve their services. I didn't have any problems like you described about the passengers…just felt a bit cramped, but figured that's the nature of the bus.
Yes, it is a great deal to get bus fares starting at $1 if you know your travel dates far enough out…however, don't expect superior customer service for that dollar too. I recently took the Megabus on a round trip, The beginning route was wonderful, courteous driver, loaded and unloaded your bags with great care, when you were up in line to pick it up. The internet did not work on my Mac computer, but realized that even though it was advertised, having full connectivity while driving was a little optimistic in reality, yet still disappointing. Shouldn't be advertised unless it can always be offered. However, on the way home… wow! The bags were thrown in the luggage storage. Upon returning home, the bags were tossed out onto the pavement, resulting in a free for all for whoever could make it to the front of the group of people first to scavenge through bags on the curb. Upon making it up to get mine, it was upside down, with other peoples bags on top of it with their belongings coming out of their bags (since they were not zip up, but button or snap top). After getting home, the thick woven cloth handles on my bag smell HORRID and are wet (after 6+ hours of being off the bus). I was shocked that any business would allow an employee to handle a customers belongings like this. SO – while you may be getting a good deal on fare, DO NOT TAKE A BAG you do not want damaged. Make sure not to put anything on the under the bus storage unless it is completely securely closed. Again, my first experience was good, my second, quite a different story. I would always take something to do other than work on my computer, as seeing as out of a 6 hour trip total, i was able to be on the internet for about 10 minutes total.
Hi disappointed-
Thanks for the feedback on Megabus. Sorry to hear about your bag. I don't think anyone expects luxury (you get what you pay for), but, yes, there still should be some modicum of customer service. I haven't taken it since my first ride…but I wouldn't expect much.
Megabus my ass. more like megabust. What a horrible company!!! I am never wasting my time or money on that rude, disorganized bunch of assholes again. They have screwed me over so many times I can't even count anymore. In the end I would have saved money taking the train, and been comfortable as well. Also, what is the point of having a "customer service" number when the only "service" they provide is to tell you that they can't do anything for you. Lesson learned, so done with them.
Hi Ralph- Thx for the feedback. My experience wasn't so bad, but obviously a lot of people here had not-so-great ones. How many times did they 'screw u over' until you actually stopped using the company?
Watch your language idiot! Next time rent a limo (at full price), but you'll probably still use the same language with them. It just shows how intelligent you are!
Never again will I pay for this bus again. They have that stupid rule can't cancel and get a refund. That has to be the dumbest thing ever. Then after that I had to change my bus to a later date but I couldn't change both of my trips so they pretty much robbed me $23. Instead of at least giving me a credit I will have to pay the fee over to complete a round trip. So I advise you to not take this bus unless they change some rules. Nothing but thievery.
Sorry Jordan. I guess it's like a low-cost airfare…there are no refunds or exchanges and you have to pay a fee to make a change.
I have a friend who uses Megabus regularly, and has had primarily good experiences overall. I think it has to do with one's expectations. Also, "the bus with the dog on the side" has a no refund for their online least expensive ticket. I waited an hour for one of their buses to go from Tyler, TX to Dallas, and had to have a family member drive me so as not to miss my DFW flight. Even if their bus never shows, they do not give you a refund. (Thankfully, and to keep it in perspective, it was only a $25 ticket.) It is good to know others' stories, so that if I do decide to ride Megabus, I might be better prepared.
I took a trip on mega bus it was not so bad due to the price I paid for the ticket, suck it up what do u expect u get what u pay for and you cant get something for nothing. keep using it and maybe it will improve any thing new always change nothing stay the same.
My family and I took a trip up to Waukegan from Tennessee. The trip was straight from HELL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ALL of the drivers drove as if they were being chased, fleeing for their lives! One of the bus drivers that met the bus in Champaign, IL. was late meeting the bus then proceeded to driver like a pure fool! My family and I thought that we were going to crash!! The bus constantly swerved! I prayed that a hwy state patrol would stop us, but no such luck. My family and I will NEVER EVER EVER in this life or the one to come EVER ride a Megabus again! And if you can avoid the Megabus, you will live longer!!!
Trust me, your life is worth the extra money to either fly or rent of vehicle.
Unfortunately, Megabus is headed for some serious issues if they don’t get their lead footed drivers under control!!!
I GIVE megabus ZERO STARS, no NEGATIVE 1,000,000,000 stars.
DON'T RIDE Megabus!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
freaking hilarious lmmfao i almost pissed myself at work reading this thank u for the laugh my word i thank ya lmao
#Megabus is the worst bus service, EVER.
Every time I rode Megabus from Washington, D.C. to Hampton, VA and back, it was late. When I say late, I don’t mean five or ten minutes. I’m talking at least an hour. The last time I rode Megabus, I was leaving Hampton, VA to go back to Washington, D.C. The bus didn’t leave because the bus driver couldn’t get it backed out. There was something mechanically wrong with the bus and the bus driver attempted to “reset it,” but a new bus didn’t come for hours later. If you care to read my correspondence with Megabus customer service below, it’s always the same thing, “we apologize for the delayed response,” blah, blah, blah.
Unless you have zero regard for your time, I highly recommend you not take Megabus.
Chris
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Dear Christopher,
We apologize for the delayed response. In regards to your inquiry, while we deeply regret the service disruptions that have affected your previous trips, there are unfortunately unforeseen issues that can occur and cause subsequent delays. Of course, Megabus.com aims to provide our clients with affordable, dependable, and quality service expected and so we hope you will give us the opportunity to serve you again.
Thank you for using Megabus.com, your patronage is important to us.
Sincerely,
Jasmine
Megabus Customer Service Specialist
________________________
Megabus Customer Support
inquiries@megabus.com
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12/11/2012 09:22 PM
Subject: Every MegaBus experience is awful
To whom it may concern:
I continue to have the worst possible experience with MegaBus. You’ll see from the below email trail that I have had on-going issues with your service, EVERY TIME I have used it. Because of these issues, I lose time and money. When I purchase a service, I expect to receive the service I pay for (perhaps I’m expecting too much). Nonetheless, some people have schedules and places to be. We cannot afford for buses arrive late or not even leave because they’re broken down. This leads me to my most recent experience on 2Dec. As always, the bus is supposed to depart Hampton, VA at 5:40PM. I depend on this bus to leave on-time so that I can take the metro to another bus which stops running at 10:30 PM. Because this bus was broken, I had to have a friend drive me to DC which cost us both time and money.
I feel sorry for every customer you had on your bus because I received an email at 9:27 PM stating another bus should be arriving in an hour. REALLY!? The bus was supposed to leave at 5:40PM and another bus doesn’t even theoretically arrive until 10:27? You left all these people sitting out in the cold — I’m not sure how your company is still in business.
This is only my experience on the return leg of my trip. As I left DC that earlier Friday, 30Nov, they had to bring in another bus because there was a mechanical problem with the bus that arrived. We didn’t actually leave D.C. until probably close to 10 or 10:30PM. It appears there is a trend with Megabus being unreliable and mechanically unsound.
I told myself I should never use your service again. However, since I have two complimentary round-trip tickets because of my most recent problems, I’m considering booking the 8:45PM bus leaving Washington, D.C. to Hampton, VA on 21Dec and returning at 5:40 PM on 25Dec. Although, what guarantee do I have that my bus will actually leave and return? I’d rather not be late for Christmas festivities and I cannot afford not to show up to work on the 26th. I have no faith in your service and I need some assurance I will actually get to where I need to go.
Christopher S.
Sorry you had such a bad Megabus experience, Chris. It appears you are not alone. A lot of folks are finding this post because of some subpar experiences. At least you were not anally raped like a former commenter. 😉
Wish I could give it negative 5 stars. Booked a roundtrip from Reno to Sacramento a month ago. Two weeks ago I got an email stating my trip to Sac had been cancelled, but if I clicked on a link I could reschedule at no cost, which I did. Schedule had only CHANGED – by 20 minutes. Not sure why “cancelled”?? Today I get email saying trip from Sac to Reno is “cancelled” and to follow links. No links provided. Took over an hour to find a phone # to call, finally reached very rude customer service who said the refund had been processed and I would HAVE TO just re-book – so nooooo, I don’t HAVE to do anything – cancel the whole trip. Again, the trip wasn’t cancelled, just the TIME changed by 20 minutes!! They refused to cancel the other leg, and won’t refund me for the booking fee. They also REFUSED to allow me to speak with a Supervisor! This is THEIR fault, and it is costing me?? I think not. Do not use these crooks!!!!! I have disputed the charge on my credit card and filed BBB and DOT complaints.
The mega bus from Austin to San Antiono , was horrific. You get there at the station, very crowed, the lady dispatcher, very horrible customer service. If you don’t have a reserve seat dont come up here! Only reserve seating. Ok then when general seating starts everybody runs and flood the desk, trying to file a line. First of all they should place people in line from the start the moment they get there. Like Greyhound, have roped lines which flows so much better. However it cost more, but better customer service, and more room, and your volume on your device is not compromised. I only went for a 4 hour trip. It was the trip from HELL. never again. Mega-Bus, it should be be MESSY-BUS!
Hi Rory, sorry that you had such an awful experience with Megabus. I’m finding that people either think it’s okay or horrible!