Taking a Greyhound bus for the second time in my life.

[y_p_w]

I’ve ridden AMTRAK several times in the past few years.

I pay for business class, totally worth it, if for nothing more than the extra leg room, but the power outlet and assigned seat make it significantly better.

They are generally on time, generally pleasant. Generally clean. I actually wish we had greater frequency of service out of Norfolk. My daughter was going to school in New Haven, CT, so, Norfolk station, change in DC, Union Station in New Haven. Takes more time than driving, but the cost is about the same and the stress level much, much lower.

She’s going to school in Boston, now, and the same calculus applies - slower than flying, a bit slower than driving, but far lower stress than driving. AMTRAK is a viable alternative.

I used to ride Amtrak fairly often, but as a commute to work if it didn’t feel like driving. But it was mostly a regional service (Capitol Corridor) where the seats were fixed and there’s only one class. Not a whole lot of legroom either.

I have ridden on “long distance” routes. Pretty much only the Coast Starlight, which uses Superliner two-level equipment. Business class there doesn’t necessarily get more comfortable. Regular coach seating on long distance routes is assigned. The seats are large with plenty of legroom. So much legroom that the tray tables have to slide to reach the passenger.

On the regional route they would occasionally use a Superliner cafe car with the cafe on the lower level and those huge seats on the upper level.

 

[y_p_w]

The only time I recall riding on a Greyhound bus was a charter for a group trip. I did book my family on Greyhound once, but something came up and I needed to cancel the trip. I didn’t cancel the tickets though. I looked up what I could do if I cancelled and didn’t bother. The tickets were really cheap.

 

[IndyIan]

Fly Air Canada next time.

To see which is worse? I guess I have to admit the last couple times have been fine, but some sure have been unpleasant!

 

[walterjay]

To see which is worse? I guess I have to admit the last couple times have been fine, but some sure have been unpleasant!

Maybe AC is stepping up their game. The four flights that I took this year were among the very best ever.

 

[Dave Hess]

Just took a new AF A350 in business class - very nice. However - “rude” falls short of describing the ground staff - maybe it was seasonal bcs the witches were out

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You’re just like me getting a window seat next to engine.

 

[Dave Hess]

I still remember fondly my Greyhound trip 25 years ago. Liked the passengers - very different from airplane travel. Much more friendly and fascinating people. At the time I think the service wasn't as bad as I see on youtube travel channels.

Some people call it Crackhound cause lots of prison inmates / homeless folks get a one way bus ticket to a far away city from where they released or not wanted.

 

[y_p_w]

Some people call it Crackhound cause lots of prison inmates / homeless folks get a one way bus ticket to a far away city from where they released or not wanted.

There was Megabus. Or might still be. I took it a few times. They required booking through the internet and at least when I rode required a printed confirmation. At least when I took it they said fares as low as $1. They might make the first couple of seats $1. It was still cheap. I think I paid maybe $5 for a 100 mile trip. They did get in trouble for not necessarily getting permission to use certain stops, including some public transit bus stops. They eventually got permission to use parking lots or other areas.

 

[4WD]

You’re just like me getting a window seat next to engine.

It actually helps me sleep - drowns out the other noises …

 

[nthach]

If they still ran DD 2 strokes I'd be interested. Thanks for letting us ride along with you GON.

I miss the sound of those 6V-92TAs bolted to an Allison HT748B screaming down the streets of SF or Oakland. They didn’t sound good with a ZF 4HP590 or Voith DIWA D863.2 bolted to them. The Cummins ISL(L9 now) or ISM(M11)/Allison B series or Voith DIWA D864.4/5 combo sounds meh.

It’s been a while since I was on Greyhound, I took it between Seattle and Vancouver back in 2016. A friend I dive with takes it down to the dive site two hours away. That’s dedication.

 

[nthach]

There was Megabus. Or might still be. I took it a few times. They required booking through the internet and at least when I rode required a printed confirmation. At least when I took it they said fares as low as $1. They might make the first couple of seats $1. It was still cheap. I think I paid maybe $5 for a 100 mile trip. They did get in trouble for not necessarily getting permission to use certain stops, including some public transit bus stops. They eventually got permission to use parking lots or other areas.

Flixbus now owns Greyhound, First Group was losing money in the US outside of school buses(First Student). First only got into the US via buying out Laidlaw, which many of us are familiar with them via the yellow school bus. They owned Greyhound and also provided fixed-route/demand-responsive(paratransit) public transit outsourcing. Transdev now has that part. Around here, two transit operators use Transdev to operate their paratransit service, a few more use them to operate their fixed-route bus system.