It's a promotional rate. They're breaking into a new market. This is generating buzz, as evidenced by this thread. And once a few bigtexxx's ride it and don't get shanked they'll go tell all their ascot wearing friends who will go buy tickets and its UP UP AND AWAY!
Nothing like $1 public transportation between major cities. Considering most Greyhound stations, I envision nothing but upwardly-mobile, hard-working, and law-abiding citizens on board these particular vehicles.
When I would go from Boston to NYC and vice versa, 80% of the bus was filled with college/grad students...wasnt bad at all.
Megabus moved Dallas station to Grand Prarie, rumor is due to Greyhound http://texasleftist.blogspot.com/2012/06/megabus-rocky-start-in-texas.html
The wifi doesn't work on megabus, slower than dialup. Otherwise megabus was pretty good, sometimes the driver doesn't even check your confirmation #, but don't bet on it.
I've used coming from Atlanta, GA last Thanksgiving (it was introduced here late last summer). It would've been only $18 dollars ($5 to Memphis, $13 to Chicago), one way and $28 coming back (that was during a peak season). I had some complications (unrelated to the bus line). Though I only paid $8.00 from Atlanta to Memphis, originally and that was with me purchasing another ticket in Birmingham, because I couldn't get a bus earlier in the day. PROS: 1. Super cheap for the first 6 - 10 months, you are going to see rates going to cities, like Austin, San Antonio, and Dallas for may be $1-$8. Rates do vary and increase, as the outbound days/times near. A $3 ticket could easily become $30 ticket, if a bus is almost at full capacity. The rates will eventually go up to more in range of $11 - $38 dollars, as more people become acquainted with the service. 2. The rates are super cheap, if you order 2 week or more in advanced or during non-peak travel seasons (peak season jump up to Greyhound rates in some places, but are never ridiculous overpriced). 3. I rode a total of 4 buses, and only one was at full to medium capacity. Enough seats so you and others can have to yourselves. 4. They have wifi, and it works occassionally (I'll explain in the next section)> CONS: 1. Their customer service is s#itty...so horrible it doesn't even offer a live (human) chat line on their own website, just the toll free number. You have to go out on the internet and find it. It's the Chicago number/area code (773) 1B. They have no stations, attendants, on-site customer service personnel, or cashiers to consult. 2. Their traveling policies are not as lenient as Greyhound and others. With Greyhound, if you want miss your bus or want to leave earlier on an outbound from your location (on minimal/non-refund package its good for 24 hours to a couple of days from the outbound time, you were scheduled for...on more complicated packages it's good for a longer time period, like several months). So you could buy a ticket in March and not use it until November, let's say Thanksgiving. You avoid paying for the Thanksgiving rates all together. 3. With Greyhound and other services, if you don't use that ticket, then your refund is still applicable in the different packages involved. No REFUNDS whatsoever in Megabus Page 4 (FAQs) http://us.megabus.com/faq.aspx "Can I cancel and/or get a refund? Once completed, megabus.com reservations cannot be canceled or refunded. However while we will make every effort to operate megabus.com services as scheduled, where this fails to occur for reasons wholly within our control full refunds or alternative travel arrangements will be offered." (Megabus, 2012) 4. They have power outlets that royally suck (at least the ones from the Atlanta-Birmingham-New Orleans-Montgomery-Memphis services), as does their wifi. If the wifi works, then the power outlets are spotty. If the power outlets are good, then wifi is in limbo. 5. I wondered about this on the bus coming home (that I had confirmed by internet reviews later). If a bus suddenly breaks down, then you are on your own as far as transportation. It may have gotten better, and I called the customer service (in Chicago). They claimed that another bus or charter bus will come to pick the passengers up. 6. Clients aren't any worst or better than any other service. Most people are just trying to get where they are going. Though the crowded bus with those college students from AU center was a little unbearable. That was just snotty crowd. Still, the off-seasons are super peaceful and you get a seat and space to yourself (or just for your family/friends/group).
