The New Bus

Ever since I took the Greyhound bus across America with my father in 1980, I’ve been unable to stand the smell of diesel in the morning. Although our trip was wonderful, there’s something very depressing about the smell of the idling bus. That smoking was allowed back in those days (except in Utah) didn’t improve the onboard situation.

Which makes this new luxury bus between New York and Boston very interesting. It’s just $69 each way, includes television, WiFi/Ethernet Internet connection, and snacks. Takes 4 hours. I can’t imagine that you could get downtown to downtown by plane any faster.

I’m going to be in New York in April, and I’ll need to get to Boston, so I may give this a try. I wonder if the inside opulence will mask the diesel.

Comments

Steven Garrity's picture
Steven Garrity on March 8, 2004 - 18:43 Permalink

Judging from the photos on their website, you’ll also be surrounded by business/executive stock photography models.

You posted this just to get my photo off the top of your site — didn’t you?

Alan's picture
Alan on March 8, 2004 - 19:27 Permalink

Not so much your photo, Steve, as the look on Dan’s face that you were standing on his foot.

Cody Swanson's picture
Cody Swanson on March 8, 2004 - 19:45 Permalink

I wonder how they maintain internet connectivity while they drive? Satellite? GSM data link?

steve's picture
steve on March 8, 2004 - 23:08 Permalink

I don’t really care about the GSM data link…to me that bus looks like the funnest thing ever.

Marcus's picture
Marcus on March 9, 2004 - 01:07 Permalink

Ever hear of Amtrak Acela Express trains?

150 mph/241 kph beats the I-95 anyday/anytime, plus you have room to walk around, nice little cafe, European styling & lots of room for laptops & other gear.

I took it 2 weeks ago & it’s a blast.

TRAIN 2251
Boston South Station 8:00am
New York Penn Station 11:42am

TRAIN 2253
Boston South Station 11:00am
New York Penn Station 2:42pm

nathan's picture
nathan on March 9, 2004 - 02:28 Permalink

I looked up Acela Express too when I saw the original post, but it’s average Boston to New York trip also takes four hours. I’d bet it costs more than $69 too.

Marcus's picture
Marcus on March 9, 2004 - 05:06 Permalink

I guess Acela’s not always on time, nor cheap, but I’ve done the bus thing like Peter said and it’s extremely trying. I’m more than willing to pay a few $$ extra to avoid motor coach. I guess I’m also irrational in that I can’t stand commercial air since a bad experience with Air China about 8 years ago…

Acela is pretty decent as far as U.S. trains go and we were stepping onto the Penn Stn. platform at 11:30. I guess it all depends if they have to slow down anywhere for local track conditions, or stop at certain stations.

Last fall when I booked on the internet, Amtrak had a special available where I booked with their ebay store and bid on a set of 2 round trip Acela Express first class tickets for $150 USD.

Outside of a deal like that, you can usually ride for somewhere between $80-100 USD one-way. It’s a pretty popular service though, and peak departures are usually sold out well in advance.