Not just any bus…
How would you like to travel from New York to Washington — and back — for less than the cost of a candy bar and a can of soda?
Sounds too good to be true, doesn’t it?
Well, brace yourselves budget conscious travelers—-it’s the real deal.
A new company called BoltBus is offering tickets from the Big Apple to D.C. for as low as a $1 each way. The super cheap price is an attempt to lure summer travelers away from trains, planes and their own automobiles.
I guess I should inform you that there is a catch.
If you haven’t already figured it out, not everyone on the bus will be treated to the $1 fare. Much like Skybus Airlines, which offered $10 fares, BoltBus is guaranteeing that at least one seat on each bus will sell for a buck. Then as seats start to fill up, the price goes up.
For example, if you are the fifth person to make a reservation on a trip you might pay $7 for your seat. If you wait a little longer and you’re the twentieth person to buy a seat on the bus you might pay $10 or $15… and so on. BoltBus says the most any passenger will have to pay for a seat is $20 if you book online, $25 if you buy your ticket last-minute from the driver.
So, basically the earlier you book the seat, the cheaper it will be. Also, purchasing tickets over the Internet with a credit card will be much cheaper than buying your ticket in person.
One of the downsides of the ridiculously low ticket price is that BoltBus doesn’t use traditional city bus depots. Rather, passengers are picked up and dropped off at designated street corners in each city. Which means you won’t be waiting for your ride while seated on a bench or standing under any type of cover that will protect you from the elements.
Also, BoltBus boards by groups using the Southwest Airlines cattle call system.
Still, for a trip that costs less than a single gallon of unleaded gas how can you complain?
In addition to the New York-Washington service, BoltBus execs say they plan to start service between New York, Boston, and Philadelphia in the next few weeks.
Did I mention BoltBus offers passengers free wireless Internet and power outlets?
Not bad for a buck.
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