The Megabus arrives
A Megabus in Chicago.
Check it out: a new-to-here bus company is starting up service between the Rensselaer train station and NYC.
And the lowest fares are $1. Yep, just $1
The company is called -- we kid you not -- Megabus. It's originally from the UK -- it expanded to offer service in the US in 2006.
The line seems to be aiming to be something like the Jet Blue of buses, with a sort of upscale discount approach. For example, the buses are apparently equipped with wi-fi. But, also like Jet Blue, the upscale part of that appears to get lost sometimes.
Megabus service from the Rennselaer station to Penn Station starts up December 4. Pricing operates like an airline -- which is to say, it varies depending on when, and for when, you make the reservation.
When we checked today, an end-of-the-day trip from Albany to NYC on Monday, December 8 was $11. But the cheapest ticket on the previous Friday was $27 (still comparable to the "Chinatown" bus). For a $1 fare, you had to book in January.
Earlier on AOA: Getting from Albany to New York City
(Thanks, Matthew!)
photo: Flickr user Andrew Ciscel
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Comments
> lowest fares are $1. Yep, just $1
That's in the bus, or on the bus?
... said S on Nov 25, 2008 at 1:45 PM | link
Megabus runs to NYC from down here in DC. I haven't used it, but I've taken its main competitor, BoltBus. Both lines are far nicer than your typical bus (some even contend that Megabus is the better of the two) and having internet on the road is divine.
The key to getting the $1 fares is scheduling your trip waaaay in advance. I read that occasionally only one is offered for each bus (it depends on the route), so it pays to plan ahead. The tickets typically top out at $27.
... said 23-Hour Alice Person on Nov 25, 2008 at 2:03 PM | link
Still, even for $27 one-way, that's not bad at all. Compare MegaBus with the other "fast" way to get from Albany to NYC — Amtrak — the prices are half as much.
... said James Cronen on Nov 25, 2008 at 3:02 PM | link
That is very, very cool. Thanks AOA!
... said Kristi on Nov 25, 2008 at 4:46 PM | link
You could leave on Friday night and be back home Sunday morning for $22. Nice!
... said Tim on Nov 25, 2008 at 6:13 PM | link
Just booked a trip round trip to NYC for 2.50.
I
LOVE
AOA
... said Erik on Nov 26, 2008 at 1:16 AM | link
I have taken the Megabus from Columbus, OH to Indy, IN and compared to it's counterpart (greyhound) is first rate posh. Open, clean, and yes!! internet!!
... said MattW on Nov 26, 2008 at 2:42 PM | link
http://www.flickr.com/photos/aerial-photos-new-york-ny/sets/72157610732608390/ Here are my photos of Megabus at the rensselaer train station from December 4th on
2008
... said Chris Milian on Dec 16, 2008 at 11:54 AM | link
Adirondack trailways is shadowing Megabus drop offs and pickups at the train station with their service vehicle. They are there everydayhttp://www.flickr.com/photos/aerial-photos-new-york-ny/sets/72157610732608390/
... said Chris Milian on Dec 24, 2008 at 11:10 AM | link
If someone who's already taken megabus to NYC could comment on it, that would be great! ie: is the pickup at the trainstation or nearby on the road? was the wi-fi working? was the bus full or not? Thanks!
... said Joe on Jan 6, 2009 at 12:54 PM | link
@Joe:
http://heartstack.org/2008/12/28/megabus/
I think I answered all your questions in there...
... said Matthew on Jan 6, 2009 at 3:46 PM | link
AOA you're amazing. Thanks for all this info.
... said Jared on Jun 4, 2009 at 4:52 PM | link
If you like Megabus, you should check out BusJunction. It's a search engine for discount bus tickets and includes all the major lines like Mega, Bolt, Vamoose, and Greyhound.
... said John on Aug 13, 2009 at 5:54 PM | link
I love the Megabus!! I had my first experience with them after the December '08 icestorm when Amtrak wasn't running. I've taken the bus a bunch of times to NYC and my friend has taken the bus a bunch of times to Albany and we love it. I got a roundtrip ticket for $2.50 once and it was great!! Its nice that you can park in the Amtrak parking lot for cheap and not worry if your car will be there when you get back. They've really improved the signage for the Megabus so you know where to park and where to get the bus. The only downside... my friend is leaving NYC and I'll no longer have a free place to stay!
... said Diana on Aug 14, 2009 at 9:33 AM | link
HORRIBLE!!! Bus driver left me stranded in parking lot honking for me to get out of the way. Customer service did not know phone number for complaints or website. They do not deserve to be in businessQ!@!!!!!
... said jen on May 20, 2010 at 8:34 PM | link
Albany Megabus is HUGE rip off. They charge just as much as Wade Tours or Yankee Travel, treat you horrible and won't acknowledge any problems. My co-worker informed me of the EXACT same problem. Gave them a try anyway. NEVER again. Don't deserve to be in business. Should be investigated by authorities for ripping off the public.
... said Kathy on May 21, 2010 at 4:17 AM | link
I booked my trip to NYC online and it was $20 with a 50 cent booking fee. Then I had to wait a couple days to book my returning trip becuase it depended on my work schedule. So a few days later I go to book my trip back and it says $20 again. So i go to grab my bankcard, and refresh the page and all of a sudden it says the ticket price is $40! So i call the company and say, it said $20 less than 5 minutes ago. and the woman tells me they absolutely cant give it to me for any less than $40! I was furious, but never the less, I had to book it anyway. So being that I was on the phone with her. I decided to just purchase it over the phone before they changed it online again. And then she charged me an additional $3 becuase I booked it on the phone! It was rather frustrating, i must say ...
... said Juli on Jun 27, 2010 at 8:23 PM | link
how do I get from Utica, NY to Rennselaer Station in Albany, NY?
... said maryann on Sep 9, 2010 at 8:38 PM | link