BoltBus is an intercity bus common carrier that operates low cost, non-stop and limited-stop, premium level routes in the northeast and western United States and British Columbia, Canada. In the northeast, BoltBus provides service from New York City and Newark to other cities along the Interstate 95 corridor. BoltBus is owned by Greyhound Lines and routes in the northeast are operated in partnership with Peter Pan Bus Lines. On the west coast, BoltBus service is offered in California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington and British Columbia, Canada. Routes on the West Coast are owned and operated by Greyhound without a partner.
While BoltBus is owned by Greyhound Lines and uses the company's operating authority, it is run as a distinct business.
BoltBus competes with other low cost carriers such as Megabus and Chinatown bus carriers.
Routes
Northeast
The BoltBus network in the northeast radiates from New York City. Buses depart from three street stops in Manhattan and there are different departure points for different lines. Service is currently available between New York City and Boston's South Station Bus Terminal, Washington, D.C.'s Union Station, Baltimore's Penn Station, the Greenbelt Metro station in Greenbelt, Maryland and Philadelphia from both the 30th Street Station in Center City and the Cherry Hill Mall in the suburb of Cherry Hill, New Jersey.
On March 24, 2011, BoltBus expanded its service into Newark. It began providing service from Newark's Penn Station to Baltimore, and Washington, D.C.'s Union Station.
On June 23, 2011, BoltBus began providing service from Newark Penn Station to Philadelphia, stopping at John F. Kennedy Blvd and N. 30th St. across the street from the west entrance of the 30th Street Station, and to Boston's South Station. Schedules on this route originate and terminate in Boston and Philadelphia with an intermediary stop in Newark.
Beginning August 1, 2012, the main New York stop was moved from West 34th Street and 8th Avenue to West 33rd Street between 11th and 12th Ave., across from the Javits Convention Center, and the newly opened 34th Street â€" Hudson Yards subway station. In June of 2016 the main New York stop was moved again; this time to 11th Avenue between 35th and 36th Streets.
Pacific Northwest
On May 17, 2012, BoltBus expanded to the Pacific Northwest, offering service between Seattle and Portland. Service expanded to Vancouver, British Columbia and Bellingham on May 31, 2012 and again on October 3, 2013 with limited service (Thursday through Monday only) to Albany and Eugene.
California/Nevada
BoltBus expanded into California on October 31, 2013 offering service between Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area. The service originally operated between Los Angeles Union Station, San Jose's Diridon Station and the West Oakland BART Station. A stop at San Francisco's Transbay Terminal was added to the route on December 12, 2013, followed by a stop in Hollywood (near the Hollywood/Vine Metro Rail station) on January 8, 2015.
A second route between Los Angeles's Union Station and San Diego was added on November 14, 2013, but was discontinued in January 2014 due to low ridership.
BoltBus service was expanded outside of California on December 12, 2013 with a route between Los Angeles Union Station and Las Vegas with a stop in Barstow. When the service first started buses served the Greyhound station at the Plaza Hotel & Casino, but in 2014 the route was modified to serve curbside stops in Downtown Las Vegas (near the Bonneville Transit Center) and along the Las Vegas Strip (near the High Roller Ferris wheel at The Linq).
Services
Unlike parent Greyhound, all tickets sold on BoltBus are for reserved seating and buses are not oversold. On each trip, at least one ticket is sold for $1, with most pre-booked tickets priced in the $10â€"$20 range, via the yield management model. BoltBus sells the $1 tickets at random within the first few seats sold. The $1 fare is the basis for its slogan “Bolt for a Buckâ€. Since buses don't operate out of traditional stations with ticket windows, passengers are encouraged to purchase tickets either online or on the phone before heading to the bus stop, but drivers will also accept cash from "walk-up" passengers, if space is available (walk-up tickets typically cost 30% more than online fares). When ticketed, passengers are assigned to a boarding group (S, A, B & C). Passengers who purchased their tickets earlier get a better boarding group assignment, allowing them to board the bus and choose their seats earlier. Passengers who are members of the Bolt Rewards program are always assigned to the A boarding group. Passengers who have special needs are assigned to the S boarding group and are allowed to pre-board before other passengers.
Fleet
BoltBus routes use Prevost X3-45 and MCI D4505 coaches. All motorcoaches are equipped with wireless internet access and leather seats that have armrests, footrests, seat belts, cup holders. Most seats have a pair of 120-volt power outlets. The motorcoaches used on BoltBus have 5 fewer seats than the industry standard, giving passengers additional legroom and eliminating the middle seat from the last row.
References
Further reading
- Bowen, Alison, "Boltbus, Megabus and Fung-Wah: Curbside buses more dangerous: Buses that pick up passengers off the street are more dangerous than those that use a terminal, a new report found", Metro newspaper, New York City, October 31, 2011
External links
- BoltBus website
