We Were There: BoltBus's Inaugural Run to NYC
I bolted to the Big Apple for a buck this morning. For less than a cup of Starbucks or Metro fare, I was transported to New York City - with nary a stop and only a few fleeting jams that were no fault of the bus driver's.
BoltBus, the new $1 service (well, it is if you're among the first ticket buyers for each ride) to Manhattan, kicked off today with quite a flourish. Riders were greeted on the corner of 11th and G streets by clean-cut employees in button-down shirts who were so excited about this new deal, I thought they were going to climb atop the bus's roof and throw confetti. The passengers were a little more subdued, except for one gentleman who actually drove up from Atlanta to experience the Bolt, and arrived an hour too soon.
All aboard. (Courtesy: BoltBus)
Bolt's bus was much like other budget buses to New York, expect that it was a little more orderly and a thousand times cleaner. We were boarded by the letter (A, B, C) that appeared on our reservation receipt a la Southwest; I was B, high enough to get a window seat but too low for a front row. The bus holds 51 passengers, down from the usual 55 to 57, and as we all know, fewer seats translates to more legroom. I also had extra arm, torso and head room because apparently some people were no-shows, despite a sold-out schedule through the weekend. (Hey, it's only a buck; we probably lose more than that in the washing machine.) The fabric seats curve nicely to the back and, in warmer months, I can actually imagine getting a tan through the big windows that don't yet have nose smudges or fingerprints.
One of the main selling points is the free WiFi. After keying in a password, I could run rampant across the Web. The seatbacks also feature outlets, so when gadgets lose their juice, you can just plug 'em in. The bus also has the ability to play movies; however, an employee told me that they don't have immediate plans to screen flicks. With so many people carrying around personal mini-movie devices, he said, showing flicks might be pointless or bothersome to other passengers. They will show them according to demand or might offer them on a set schedule, so passengers can pick a route depending on their entertainment needs.
However, my favorite feature was the latrine. I shudder to think of those interminable rides when the back-of-the-bus bathroom was as fearsome as a scorpion den. Besides being clean, the toilets actually flushed. There was no concern that I was going to get sucked down the vortex and spit out onto the highway. The toilets even rinse, though I didn't stick around long enough to watch the water spin. The only downside was no sink, but that's what baby wipes are for. Next time.
Overall, the ride was smooth and pleasant, a triple upgrade from the Chinatown bus. The driver was professional and polite and apologized when we arrived a half-hour past our 11:30 ETA. (The drop-off/NYC pick-up point is 33rd Street and Seventh Avenue, near Peep Show and a Sbarros.) However, while BoltBus might be able to defy economics and charge only $1 for rides to NYC, it is still "human" when it comes traffic.
Late addition (in response to the note below): Here are some more details about the bus fares, as K.C. Summers reported last week in the Travel Log. Fares start at $1 for early bookers, and rise based on market demand and the closer you get to the date. The highest fare is $20. All fares are nonrefundable. You can buy tickets online at www.boltbus.com or from the driver at the pickup point, but walkups pay full price. So book in advance for the cheapest fares, and you're taking your chances if you just walk up, as the bus could be full.
By Andrea Sachs |
March 27, 2008; 2:42 PM ET
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Posted by: Anonymous | March 27, 2008 2:50 PM
What time did the bus end up leaving DC?
Posted by: Arlington, VA | March 27, 2008 3:09 PM
Good question, Arlington: The bus left when it was supposed to, about 7:30 a.m.
Posted by: Andrea Sachs | March 27, 2008 3:39 PM
What is the regular fare? How early do you need to show up to get the $1 fare? What guarantee is there of a seat?
Posted by: Anonymous | March 27, 2008 4:27 PM
Yeah, and for a while, Motel 6 offered rooms for $6 a night. By the way, does "clean-cut employees in button-down shirts" mean young, white, and non-union?
Posted by: Traveler | March 28, 2008 12:24 AM
We took the Bolt Bus to and from NYC yesterday with our three children. It was a great day trip. We hoofed up to the MOMA and saw the new exhibits, checked out the lobby of the renovated Plaza Hotel, Times Square, Rockefeller Center, and the NY Public Library. We had hot dogs from a vendor and hot chocolate in Bryant Park, all before boarding the 5:30 bus for the return trip. The return trip was easy and comfortable, and upon arrival in DC, we caught the Metro back home. We would definitely do it again.
Posted by: Traveler | March 28, 2008 8:59 AM
We took the Bolt Bus to and from NYC yesterday with our three children. It was a great day trip. We hoofed up to the MOMA and saw the new exhibits, checked out the lobby of the renovated Plaza Hotel, Times Square, Rockefeller Center, and the NY Public Library. We had hot dogs from a vendor and hot chocolate in Bryant Park, all before boarding the 5:30 bus for the return trip. The return trip was easy and comfortable, and upon arrival in DC, we caught the Metro back home. We would definitely do it again.
Posted by: Traveler | March 28, 2008 8:59 AM
What was the exact location of the 33rd & 7th stop? My mother is traveling today and I hope she doesn't get lost...
Posted by: Curious | April 4, 2008 10:32 AM
Bolt Bus is a BUST!!!! Yesterday (4/7), I purchased a one-way $20 ticket from NYC to D.C. for the 5:30pm bus. I arrived at 5:00p.m. and waited. At 5:25 the New Eastern (Chinatown) bus pulled up and a dozen or so passengers boared and left. Standing with me was another gentleman who had also purchased a $20 ticket. We continued to wait as a small crowd gathered for the 6:30 New Eastern bus. We waited and waited and waited until it was clear that Bolt had stood us up, so we spent another $20 to take the 6:30 Chinatown bus to D.C.
Not only is Bolt unreliable, I also question whether their $1 fare is a fraud. It is amazaing to me that me and one other person show up for the bus and both of us paid top dollar. Where were those $1 fareholders??!!!
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Posted by: Jackie | April 22, 2008 4:38 AM
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"I also had extra arm, torso and head room...."
I hate to sound off-color, but "torso room"? That conjures up all sorts of images....