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Chicagoist is a sucker for a deal. Marketers know they can wow people like us with anything that can be purchased for a dollar, be it a Buffalo Snacker or a can of PBR. So when we heard about Megabus.com, the discount bus line that will begin offering $1 fares from Chicago to eight Midwestern cities next month, we could hardly believe it. We can’t even get across town for $3.
But, to our amazement, it seems to be true. Well, at least mostly true. Megabus.com will begin daily service on April 10 with express runs to Cincinnati, Cleveland, Detroit, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Minneapolis and St. Louis.
Here’s how it works: Travelers must book their rides on the company’s Web site up to 45 days in advance. Fares start at $1 each way, plus a 50-cent reservation fee. For each trip, three or four $1 seats are reserved, and the remaining seats can range from $9 to $27. In other words, you’ll have to book early to get the super-cheap fares.
Megabus.com has operated in the UK for three years and charges an average of $10 for a 200-mile trip. Reviews of the UK service seem to be generally positive, but several reviewers noted that introductory fares became scarce once the line became more popular, and that buses don’t always leave on time.
But really, for a dollar, it's not going to be first class.
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even cheaper than the ny/boston chinatown buses!
I'd prefer the Chinatown buses though. I was addicted to them back when I lived in Boston. Flat $15 NO MATTER WHAT. No gambling 45 days in advance. Plus, they take you either to Boston or New York...both of which are better destinations than Detroit or Cincinnati. This is cool, however.
Looks like I need to finally take that trip to Milwaukee I've been saying I'll take but never have.
Although, it might be more fun to use Amtrak's Hiawatha service.
Mmm. Trains. Arrrghlrghl.
Looks like I need to finally take that trip to Milwaukee I've been saying I'll take but never have.
Although, it might be more fun to use Amtrak's Hiawatha service.
Mmm. Trains. Arrrghlrghl.
The Coppoletta always rings twice.
For St. Louis, it's interesting to note that you can take Southwest for as little as $49 one-way...if the bus isn't your style. ;)
I see on the bus line's website that they're part of CoachUSA. Does that mean, aside from price, they'll be just like the service that line offers between Chicago and Milwaukee or Madison (or dozens of other city combinations)?
A $27 fare attracts an interesting crowd. If you've ever flown Southwest, you know what I'm talking about.
Thanks for the information!
After reading your post I promptly reserved a $1 fare to St. Louis and back, for me and my girlfriend, to go explore a new bar scene just for a random April Saturday night! We are always up for an adventure and for under $5 you can have a spontaneous evening like that!
Rings twice, yes, but apparently after only clicking once.
It's something wierd with this IE7 beta I'm playing with these days, and it only happens on Chicagoist. I think if I click and not wait for the page to finish loading, it's OK.
Yes, cheap fares attract "interesting" crowds, but the Metra is only $5 all weekend (and they allow open alcohol!). My biggest prob on there has been loud people.
Anyways, I think Megabus will be less of a scary hell-hole than Greyhound can be, since the debit/credit-only and prepurchase-only aspect of Megabus will keep away transients and people who can't plan ahead.
I just dread the milling around waiting for the bus to show up, because there aren't assigned seats, and no one in Chicago stands in line for transit -- it's always a "me first" push on the CTA buses, especially with weekend non-commuters.
...Now I'm just thinking (typing) aloud, but someday I gotta buy a $5 weekend pass on Metra, and have a rolling bar -- drink the whole time with friends. Get kicked off in Lisle. ;-)
I saw several ads for this downtown and thought at first it must be a joke. I am from St. Louis in the "Show-Me" state, so I looked into it. Now, my mom is coming to Chicago twice in May for a total of $5!! I realize it may not last forever, but for the time being, it'll work!
CoachUSA BLOWS. Their Indiana-ORD/MDW service is great, but have you ever seen their charter buses running around downtown? The buses are almost always damaged, the drivers are nastier than the nastiest CTA drivers, and I see them broken down pretty frequently...
I'd ride on the roof of an Amtrak train before I'd take CoachUSA/Megabus anywhere...
Just took Megabus roundtrip to Cleveland for the weekend..Chi-Cleve leg left on time and arrived on time. Bus was only 15% full and made one stop at Ohio /Indiana line. Driver was courteous..Bathroom is like a porta pottie with no soap.. Came back got in an hour late due to the Cleveland Marathon, otherwise trip went well.. All for $2.50 cents..I couldnt believe it!!
I would highly recommend Megabus ..Seats are great and bus is clean..
Just took the bus round trip from Chicago-Minneapolis. We left on-time at 11pm Saturday night, had no heat the entire way and nearly froze, and the swerving bus awoke me at 5am as the driver was struggling to stay awake. He finally decided to take a break after hitting the left gravel shoulder. We arrived a half-hour late, cold, and in fear of having the same driver Sunday night.
It was the same driver, but there was heat, the bus was still only 20% full, and there was less swerving. However, we left late and got into Chicago an hour and a half late. What's the point of a 1 hour rest stop in the middle of Wisconsin in the middle of the night?
Did I mention the driver had no clue how to navigate the Minneapolis or Chicago streets once off the expressways? I don't think he really knew how to drive a bus either.
I may book Megabus again if no cheap airfares are available. I don't trust their drivers.
what if you are in indiana and want to go to chicago? is there a way to catch the bus here?
I USED MEGABUS ONCE BEFORE PURCHASING A TICKET 1 DAY IN ADVANCE FROM CHICAGO TO DETROIT AND PAID $45.50 FOR A ROUND TRIP TICKET. I DID NOT EXPERIENCE ANYTHING DIFFERENTLY THEN I HAVE WHEN RIDING GREYHOUND EXCEPT THE FACT THAT GREYHOUND HAS VERY LONG LINES AND HIGH PRICES. THE SAME TRIP WOULD HAVE COST $72.00. I SAVED OVER THIRTY DOLLARS AND DEPARTED AND ARRIVED ON-TIME ON BOTH TRIPS. IN FACT, I WAS IMPRESSED ENOUGH TO USE THEIR SERVICES AGAIN. I BOOKED ANOTHER TRIP FOR THIS WEEKEND.
see what happens...
you only have to mention things like GREYHOUND and the scum start showing up...
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Please let me know if their a mega bus leaving St. Louis, on April 6, 2007, possible at 11:00a.m.
Returing on April 9, 2007 at time of 11:00 a.m.
The next return trip to Chicago is for July 2,2007
leaving St. Louis at 9:00 a.m. returning back to St. Louis on July 9, 2007, from Chicago at 1:00 p.m. Pleas advice me if you can meet these schedule, Thank you very much.
Oh boy!
Check out this bad experience on a Megabus, a short documentary called, MEGA BS.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hc-Ar2rl6K0