The BoltBus: Cheap Rides, Free Wi-Fi, a Little Lonely

Travel Blog  •  Jim Benning  •  04.30.08 | 10:03 AM ET

imageWe’ve written occasionally about the cult appeal of Chinatown buses, which offer dirt-cheap rides between Chinatowns in a number of Eastern U.S. cities. To compete, Greyhound has launched its own budget option, BoltBus, which features online booking, power outlets and, perhaps coolest of all, free Wi-Fi. So how’s the ride? Daniel Sorid bought a round-trip ticket from New York to Philadelphia for all of $2.50 and found himself the lone passenger on the journey.

He writes for the AP:

Fortunately the driver was good company. We swapped wild bus tales for a while. I finished up a guacamole taco and sent a few e-mails and photos from my cell phone. After a few hours, he dropped me off near Philly’s 30th Street Station, and we said our goodbyes.

It sounds like a great budget option. Of course, the buses had better begin to fill if they’re going to be around for long.

By the way, for any Mac users who’ve had connection problems on a BoltBus, the company’s website notes today that “Wi-Fi access issues for Apple/Mac have been resolved.”

Whew.



4 Comments for The BoltBus: Cheap Rides, Free Wi-Fi, a Little Lonely

John Ur 04.30.08 | 3:11 PM ET

I’m taking this bus Friday afternoon from DC to NYC (which seems to be a much more sought after ride). I’ll eb happy to report back then.

Jim Benning 04.30.08 | 3:14 PM ET

Please do, John. Would love to hear about your experience.

g k 08.19.08 | 11:15 PM ET

I took Bolt Bus, two weeks ago to New York and have to say I had my socks knocked off.  My friends actually flew to LGA, and even with the traffic delay on 95 I still arrived three hours before them for 290 dollars less.  When you look at the time it takes to get to the airport, TSA lines and the inevitable delays - I actually saved time.  Here’s the bonus, on our trip, the driver pulled over so we could get something to eat during the traffic back up—trying getting food when you are on a flight circling NY for an hour!

awd 09.11.08 | 1:19 AM ET

I’m from Maryland and have been taking this bus for almost a year from NY to MD then back again.  It’s amazing.  For a low budget like mine (being a college student) I really couldn’t ask for more.  Leather seats, Wi-Fi on my mac, outlets, and friendly bus drivers.  It’s truly in my opinion the best time to travel.  When I book ahead I can get my ticket as low as 2.50 with a service charge.  Really worth your wild

Commenting is not available in this weblog entry.