Megabus

I’m a student at UVM and live in Boston so I often travel using Megabus (no car). I typically arrive 15 – 20 minutes early, and every time the bus driver sits on the bus and doesn’t let anyone on until about 5 minutes before departure time… This is sometimes an issue when it’s 10 degrees out and everyone is standing in a line, freezing, as the bus driver visibly is just sitting on the bus. Why wouldn’t he just let us on when we get there, or at least 15 minutes earlier than departure time?
Also the prices are crap. I started taking Greyhound once it began coming to UVM because the prices are half of what Megabus charges, but sadly due to my class schedule I have to take Megabus from time to time. They grossly overcharge, especially on winter breaks, long weekends, holidays, etc. and I know companies will raise their prices on busy times to make a profit, but $ 95 for a ONE WAY ticket when they usually charge $ 30??? That’s criminal. They know most of their customers coming from their stop at UVM are broke college students… sad that they have to charge so much in order to make a huge profit for themselves. Plus there are no refunds or transferring your ticket to use another time if plans change and you can’t make the bus you scheduled… money hungry business that doesn’t care about their customers.

I took the bus from 34^th Street in Manhattan to Burlington. Staff members at bus stop in NYC were friendly and helpful, but why must your drivers be so rude and ornery? The first driver (from NYC to Hartford) made no announcements at all, but the replacement driver who got on in Hartford was a real treat. Before leaving CT, he walked upstairs and very rudely commanded a passenger to push his back out of the aisle (it was on the floor, sticking out maybe half an inch), reminded everyone that obstructing the aisles was a «federal» crime, and warned us all that we were «on camera.» Way to make us feel welcome, jerk. The fun continued. Upon reaching Amherst, MA, the driver informed us we would be taking a 20-​minute rest stop and would be departing at 2:30. He very loudly proclaimed, «2:30 MEANS 2:30,» warning passengers that anyone not on the bus at that moment would be left behind. At an unscheduled stop at at rest area in Vermont, upon departure, I heard a passenger downstairs inform the driver that another passenger had gotten off the bus during this unscheduled (and very brief) stop. The driver responded that since he hadn’t given permission for passengers to get off, it was the passenger’s own fault. For all I know, the driver left that passenger at a very remote rest area on I-​91. Upon arrival in Burlington, he barked at passengers who asked questions about their luggage, how to find taxis, etc. I’m giving 3 stars because the ride itself was fine. Megabus: You need to screen your drivers for personality disorders and try to find rest stops where passengers can get more than ice cream for a meal.

Megabus is without a doubt the worst travel experience you could put yourself through. I have been on several megabuses (in the height of summer) without any sufficient air conditioning. I even had my bus stopped for 3 hours in New York City while they tried to fix the already-​broken air conditioning. The employees do very little to accommodate you. I had a megabus arrive 20 minutes late one time, and due to their lateness, we were told, that we could go try and get food at a the rest stop «at our own risk» (and this was during an 8 hour bus ride, and this was the only rest stop where passengers could get out of the bus and get food and water). In total, megabus is one of the worst companies you could choose to travel with.

From Burlington to NYC — nauseating bathroom stench, no TP, poorly mounted seat shifted back and forth 6 inches each time the bus swayed or turned.
From NYC to Burlington — heat was on high, could not be adjusted, 7 hours in a sauna on the upper level. Driver was unable to adjust.
From this experience, it seems Megabus drives poorly maintained vehicles and doesn’t give a rats’ rear end about the passengers.
Never again.

Update location change:
Burlington, VT, (Temporary Location) Opposite Marsh Hall — MAT Access Road, off Spear Street
In the GPS I use —
31 Spear Street, Burlington, VT
I just remember a building with that address if you have friends that are picking you up.
In terms of service and travel time, everything is great. But I’ve notice the price increasing which I am not happy about because what happen to the $ 1 bus rides or affordable rates!

Please Note: This is a copy and paste from my Boston Megabus review. I will update this review soon!
Megabus in Burlington… Why couldn’t you have been here last year?!
So this past summer we got a Megabus stop in Burlington, VT. All I have to say is WOW! I like the service!
ON THE WAY DOWN!
The bus had gotten there a little bit early. It was leaving for 11:00am on a Thursday morning and said to be in Boston by 2:45pm in the afternoon. So we did board early and the bus left on time!
The bus was very clean. The power outlets on the bus did not work. The WiFi worked great though. I saw 2 – 3 people working on laptops. I did test it with my smart phone. The bathroom on board was your basic setup and worked as indented. Over all the ride was VERY comfortable. Even leg room was good. (Coming from a guy whos 6 foot 3 inches!)
The bus driver was great too. He was more than helpful about putting luggage on the bus for the passengers and checking REF# quickly! He drove the speed limit the whole way up too!
Getting off the but was easy too! it dropped us off right at South Station in Boston, MA! We made great time! 10 minutes early! So NOOOO complaints at all here.
ON THE WAY BACK TO VT!
I was leaving around 3:30pm on a Monday afternoon. So I got there about 60 minutes early to make sure I didn’t miss my bus. Plus this was my first time ever taking a bus from South Station. We had been told we would be in Burlington, VT by 7:15pm
The bus got there ON THE DOT at 3:30! So it was later then on the way up. Not a big deal. We had about 25 people going back. So they got us on the bus very quickly. Here they have 2 people getting passengers on the bus. So it was very easy. The bus it self was also VERY clean like the last one! The power worked on this bus and so did the free WiFi.
The bus driver here also helped with luggage. Checked your REF# and you just hopped on the bus! Again VERY easy to deal with! He also went the speed limit the whole way back to Burlington, VT. On the way down we had ran into some traffic from a car crash. (Don’t worry not the bus! :P) So we did not get back to VT on time. Rather then getting there at 7:15 we got back at 7:25! So not at all a huge deal.
PROs of Megabus you ask?
— Free WiFi!
— The bus was clean!
— The bus drivers and employees at both stations where more than helpful.
— Express service to both cities and no stops.
— No more paying for gas or parking your car!
— No wear and tear on the car!
— DID I TELL YOU I ONLY PAID $ 5.00 for the round trip?
CONs of Megabus!
— At South Station the signs are not well labeled. So get there early to make sure you make your bus on time. If your not there they will NOT wait for you. So that’s on you.
— Power doesn’t always seem to work. But for the price who cares?
SO OVER ALL!
I will be booking MORE trips with Megabus. In fact i have another one coming up in about 2 weeks! I will report back with an update for this trip. If the service stays at this level I think Megabus and I can create a BEAUTIFUL relationship! I look forward to my next trip down to Boston.
GREAT ⁴⁄₅! If only traveling could have always been this cheap! Now maybe it can…