QuoteNew bus service promises rides to Atlanta, Orlando for $1
A low-fare bus company has announced plans to provide service to Orlando and Atlanta from Jacksonville.
The company is called Megabus.com, and claims in a press release that riders can get to those cities from Jacksovnille "for as low as $1."
With Atlanta as its Southeastern hub, Megabus.com said it will begin providing service to and from 11 cities, including Jacksonville, beginning Nov. 16.
One daily departure to Orlando and one to Atlanta will leave from the Jacksonville Skyway Convention Center, 1093 W. Forsyth St.
Travelers can book seats at Megabus.com. Booking early secures the $1 fare. Ticket prices increase progressively as the day of travel nears.
Megabus.com is a subsidiary of Coach USA, a company launched in April 2006 to provide intercity express bus service in North America. In addition to low fares, it boasts "state-of-the-art environmentally-friendly buses with free Wi-Fi, power outlets and restrooms," its news release said.
Visit www.megabus.com fare, schedule and other information.
http://jacksonville.com/opinion/blog/400669/jeff-brumley/2011-10-25/new-bus-service-promises-rides-atlanta-orlando-1
(http://www.studentguidetopittsburgh.com/profiles/megabus.com/megabus.jpg)
(http://www.llworldtour.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/megabus_back.jpg)
The Megabus between Chicago and Saint Louis is great. This could be a good service.
My family members claim the one between Chicago and Detroit is pretty good as well. Those tickets hover around $10 or so.
Quote from: thelakelander on October 25, 2011, 07:58:53 PM
One daily departure to Orlando and one to Atlanta will leave from the Jacksonville Skyway Convention Center, 1093 W. Forsyth St.
So the Megabus will be picking up and dropping off somewhere in the middle of the JRTC site?
How's that going to work?
According to the website it will drop off at a MARTA site in Atlanta.
What do the prices typically reach near the day of departure? I heard $10.....anyone?
You can put in departure and return dates to various destinations here.
http://us.megabus.com/Default.aspx
The price tonight for a ticket leaving Detroit tomorrow to travel to Chicago is $25. It drops to $15 for a ticket on Saturday. That trip between those two cities is 5hr 40min.
Jax to Atlanta Nov. 16th $1.
Quote from: Dashing Dan on October 25, 2011, 09:24:59 PM
Quote from: thelakelander on October 25, 2011, 07:58:53 PM
One daily departure to Orlando and one to Atlanta will leave from the Jacksonville Skyway Convention Center, 1093 W. Forsyth St.
So the Megabus will be picking up and dropping off somewhere in the middle of the JRTC site?
How's that going to work?
best guess is that it works better than the Red Coach did in stopping near the airport.
I was on the phone when I saw this subject on metrojacksonville and my friend thought I was having a heart attack. I was in Chicago when megabus was introduced to America with their first hub in Chicago. I've taken it to St Louis and Detroit as mentioned by a few folks above. This is not hyperbole whatsoever when I say that since moving back to Jax I've watched ruefully as megabus expanded all over the northeast, and even stretched down into North Carolina (I took it from Raleigh to DC last month...$2.50 round trip), thinking that all this expansion is awesome but it's all so faraway. I've considered the possibility of megabus coming to Jax, but figured that was a year or two away from being feasible, if ever.
So yes, this was a shock to my system, and in the corniest of ways it's a dream come true. Megabus is sweet!
They've stepped up their safety precautions ever since that horrible accident in NY. They've maintained a choice clientele...pretty much all college kids, young professionals, occasional middle-aged business person and every once in a blue moon, an elderly couple traveling together to visit the grandkids or something. I don't know how their business model works but they clearly have expanded carefully after an epic failure out on the west coast. They do deter more undesirable riders by pretty much requiring internet access and a credit card to be able to purchase a seat. And they keep overhead to a minimum by having no physical ticket offices or bus platforms of any sort (except in DC starting next year) So somehow it works, despite the fact that I've been on at least three or four trips on megabus with fewer than 10 people on the bus!
Other thoughts and answers to a few questions:
-prices that I've seen top out at about $35. Don't think megabus specifically has ever been higher.
-if you're planning well in advance, it shouldn't be hard to find a $5/$10 seat unless it's a high traffic day like Fri or Sun eve or holidays. The $1 are nearly impossible unless you check right when they first open a new set of available dates for travel.
-the buses pick up on the side of the road or empty parking lots. Literally no cost other than simple signage. This way, there's no rent cost. On the other hand, many other travel companies arent terrible pleased with this arrangement. Large lines of people on some random corner near a major landmark or travel hub.
-they appear to have one electrical outlet for every seat (some of the others bus companies do not have that many)
-despite my allegiance to megabus, I think that boltbus (one of the main competitors) is nicer. But it's network is limited to the northeast: DC-Philly-NYC-Boston
-they used to make rest stops for food and bathroom, but they seem to have eliminated those, at least for trips under 5 hours.
Bottom line: This is great! I'm not sure how successful it will be but I have a feeling these routes will be viable. At least compared to some of their other services (like I said before, I'm not sure how any of their business is profitable) They're not afraid to discontinue if it doesn't work, but they're also very careful and particular about their routes so the fact they've moved into this market means there's a good chance for success. Notice they didn't connect Jax to Gainesville. It's either ATL-GNV-ORL or ATL-JAX-ORL
Very exciting. if you purt in promo code ATL10k the trips are free between Nov 16- Dec 16th!
Megabus will picking up at the Convention Center Skyway station. There is an empty bus bay there and that is what they will be using. They have been working with JTA on this for about a month now.
So what would be the optimal (overnight/multi-day) parking scenario? King Street garage & take the Skyway to the Convention Center station?
I would think parking at the JTA lots near the station might make more sense....perhaps JTA can set up a lot (or portion of a lot) that is based on daily fees vs. monthly passes.
From what I hear parking will be provided in the Johnson st skyway lot.
great to hear....JTA is on the ball here...they should be applauded on this one!
Anyone know if any mini car rental lots could possibly open near the stop in Jax? I think this is a good service, but would only be useful to me if I had someone picking me up in ATL or Orlando.
There's an Enterprise lot nearby, there may be others in or near downtown. The question is whether or not they will be open when the Megabus arrives or departs.
Quote from: Dashing Dan on October 25, 2011, 09:24:59 PM
Quote from: thelakelander on October 25, 2011, 07:58:53 PM
One daily departure to Orlando and one to Atlanta will leave from the Jacksonville Skyway Convention Center, 1093 W. Forsyth St.
So the Megabus will be picking up and dropping off somewhere in the middle of the JRTC site?
How's that going to work?
Easy Dan! The JRTC is going to be a 'state-of-the-art' transportation center. This means it will be a one-stop-shop for all of your surface transportation needs. Following the pattern of all of the other transportation centers of the world, transfers from train to JTA bus, to intercity bus, to rail, to Skyway, all lined up just steps appart, seamless.
Megabus will board at Johnson and Forsyth. To transfer to Greyhound you'll just walk to Houston and Lee, to get to Amtrak you'll go to Water and Park, to go to JTA you'll go to Forsyth and Lee, to get to Commuter Rail north-southwest or west you'll have to go to Stuart and Bay, except that Stuart doesn't go through so you'll probably have to walk around. To get to commuter rail southeast you'll board next to Amtrak back at Lee and Water, the Skyway will remain at Johnson and Bay, LaCubana bus will board over at Stuart and Adams, Red Bus will jump in at Johnson and Monroe and finally AutoBus will board at Davis and Water Streets. Another superlative plan by JTA, part of your day, part of your community, part of your life. Oh, and Tylenol will NOT be available in the gift shop that stuff is dangerous you know.
With Megabus you'll have the chance to travel to Atlanta and Orlando for a dollar, but riding JTA to Riverside is going to set you back $1.50.
OCKLAWAHA
Quote from: tufsu1 on October 26, 2011, 10:04:25 AM
great to hear....JTA is on the ball here...they should be applauded on this one!
+1
Quote from: Ocklawaha on October 26, 2011, 12:55:55 PM
Quote from: Dashing Dan on October 25, 2011, 09:24:59 PM
Quote from: thelakelander on October 25, 2011, 07:58:53 PM
One daily departure to Orlando and one to Atlanta will leave from the Jacksonville Skyway Convention Center, 1093 W. Forsyth St.
So the Megabus will be picking up and dropping off somewhere in the middle of the JRTC site?
How's that going to work?
Easy Dan! The JRTC is going to be a 'state-of-the-art' transportation center. This means it will be a one-stop-shop for all of your surface transportation needs. Following the pattern of all of the other transportation centers of the world, transfers from train to JTA bus, to intercity bus, to rail, to Skyway, all lined up just steps appart, seamless.
Megabus will board at Johnson and Forsyth. To transfer to Greyhound you'll just walk to Houston and Lee, to get to Amtrak you'll go to Water and Park, to go to JTA you'll go to Forsyth and Lee, to get to Commuter Rail north-southwest or west you'll have to go to Stuart and Bay, except that Stuart doesn't go through so you'll probably have to walk around. To get to commuter rail southeast you'll board next to Amtrak back at Lee and Water, the Skyway will remain at Johnson and Bay, LaCubana bus will board over at Stuart and Adams, Red Bus will jump in at Johnson and Monroe and finally AutoBus will board at Davis and Water Streets. Another superlative plan by JTA, part of your day, part of your community, part of your life. Oh, and Tylenol will NOT be available in the gift shop that stuff is dangerous you know.
With Megabus you'll have the chance to travel to Atlanta and Orlando for a dollar, but riding JTA to Riverside is going to set you back $1.50.
OCKLAWAHA
You always crack me up, Ock! To be fair, when it comes to megabus this is pretty common. They can't stop
at Union Station in Chicago, so they used to be one block away. Then they moved another block over. In DC last month, their stop was about 3 blocks away from Union Station. In fact, I missed my departing bus because of how far away it was and the fact I walked in the wrong direction out of Union Station :/
OTOH, my one-way trip from Durham, NC to DC was $1.25 including fees. My bus trip to the Durham stop was $2 and my subway ride from Union Station to my friend's apt was $1.95.
From the megabus site.
QuoteThe Megabus stop for all arrivals and departures in Jacksonville will be located at the Jacksonville Skyway Convention Center Station. The station is located at 1100 West Forsyth St. The stop will be at the last loading bay which is closest to Johnson St.
tomorrow is the first departure of Megabus. There will be a press conference at 8:45am and the bus leaves at 9:10am. Trips to Atlanta for $1.
good news!
Proud to report Megabus left Jacksonville this morning for Atlanta, full. Everything went smooth. The next bus leaves at 1:40pm bound for Orlando. Lake will post a pic later.
My bestfriend from ATL is going to visit this weekend and will use Megabus. This is great.
(http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/Other/mi/i-rx6Rsss/0/L/MegaBus-L.jpg)
Yeah this thing is a hit! I want to take trip now just because I know I can afford it ;D
Atlanta and Orlando for a $1, through mid December. Book online.
(http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/Other/mi/i-8fJpZpT/0/M/MegaBus2-M.jpg)
Quote from: duvaldude08 on November 16, 2011, 04:27:08 PM
Yeah this thing is a hit! I want to take trip now just because I know I can afford it ;D
Go to the Jaguars vs Falcons game on dec. 15th..
you guys have no idea how happy i am. this is like a dream come true. i know, i am weird.
Does anyone have any confirmed information on long term parking near the megabus stop near forsyth st??
Johnson St. lot has dedciated Megabus spaces
I looked up the fare for a trip to Atlanta on Dec. 9, returning Dec 11. The cost to go up is $5 per and the cost to return is $8 per.
Just how far in advance do you have to book to get a fare of $1? Maybe you have to go somewhere on a specific weekday.
it is based on availability
Any feedback or observations thus far?
I'm curious about other people's experiences too.
I'm going to give the Megabus a whirl for a last minute trip to Atlanta tomorrow. I didn't get any super-cheap tickets, but a tank of gas is at least 50 bucks to cover the drive to ATL, so 26 bucks isn't bad at all. Fire up the laptop, watch some movies. Hopefully I-75 won't be bogged down with construction delays.
A friend rode the Megabus down from ATL a few weeks ago. He's been using it to travel the Southeast for a few months now and is loving it. It only took 6.5 hrs to make the trip since there are no intermediate interstate stops. Greyhound was at least 4x the price and ~2x the time.
I'm hoping they add a route to NOLA soon.
Quote from: David on January 13, 2012, 01:47:45 PM
I'm curious about other people's experiences too.
I'm going to give the Megabus a whirl for a last minute trip to Atlanta tomorrow. I didn't get any super-cheap tickets, but a tank of gas is at least 50 bucks to cover the drive to ATL, so 26 bucks isn't bad at all. Fire up the laptop, watch some movies. Hopefully I-75 won't be bogged down with construction delays.
When you've got a laptop open in front of you, then the delays aren't so much of a pain. One of the best things about riding a bus is when "getting there" comes up as kind of a surprise.
Quote from: Reytravel11 on November 19, 2011, 04:27:32 PM
Does anyone have any confirmed information on long term parking near the megabus stop near forsyth st??
Megabus has an agreement with JTA to lease parking in one of their lots at the Convention Center. Should be signage available.
Ok, it's definitely budget travel. The bus we had looked a bit older, I didn't see any power outlets and the wifi didn't work. Everyone around me was 6'4 so there was very limited leg room.
If you're traveling on a high demand day like Saturday make sure you get in line early so you can claim your seat. They made two stops on the way up to Atlanta, a brief 10 min rest stop in Osceola national park and a 25 min lunch stop near Tifton, GA. Total commute time was about 6.25 -6.5 hours
On a normal 2 day weekend I wouldn't bother spending that much time just to save a buck, but with the MLK holiday (and a ride back to Jax) It was worth the cheap ticket.
One downside is if you did want to take megabus roundtrip you have to leave Atlanta at 7 am to get back to Jax. There are no other departure times currently.
All in all, It's cheap travel so you can't really expect much. It was on time and I can take the extra money I saved on gas to treat my friends in ATL to some dinner tonight.
Would you do it again?
Quote from: Dashing Dan on January 15, 2012, 12:34:53 PM
Would you do it again?
Sure, if I had the same circumstances as this past weekend, i'd do it again. I'd just make sure to get there earlier and claim my seat (and try to sit behind short people) I wouldn't take it roundtrip because of the limited return schedule.
I've taken greyhounds up to NYC from Jax as a teenager though, so my tolerance for bus travel may be higher than others. But ok, there was one thing that stood out: a lady was reclining in her seat and it blocked the bathroom door, I had to ask her to scoot up so I could get in. That was the only thing that made me say "wow"
The rest of it was expected. I have a feeling they put the nicer busses on their more popular routes.
so I'm riding Megabus today and it has been a nightmare.....we've had several mechanical problems and it will likely be after 6pm before we get to Atlanta.
I guess the good thing is they're supposed to get new buses in starting next week
and get this, they officially changed the departure time for Jax from 9:10 to 9:30 three weeks ago but never updated the webiste or told customers!
Quote from: tufsu1 on February 03, 2012, 01:59:39 PM
so I'm riding Megabus today and it has been a nightmare.....we've had several mechanical problems and it will likely be after 6pm before we get to Atlanta.
I guess the good thing is they're supposed to get new buses in starting next week
and get this, they officially changed the departure time for Jax from 9:10 to 9:30 three weeks ago but never updated the webiste or told customers!
Wow, that sucks...
Not sure that's worth the $1 fare (if you even got that fare!)
Sorry to rub it in....safe travels
well, it is "budget" travel! maybe the new buses will make a difference.
from what we're being told, another bus is driving down from ATL and we'll get on that...arrival time in ATL is probably 7:30pm
Quote from: tufsu1 on February 03, 2012, 03:01:44 PM
from what we're being told, another bus is driving down from ATL and we'll get on that...arrival time in ATL is probably 7:30pm
WOW.
i can only imagine the annoyance/frustration you're feeling right now
actually most everyone is calm....the driver has been very friendly and helpful.
the key here is apparently this is one of the older buses...and folks who have ridden before say this almost never happens.
the driver did tell me the Jax-Atl and Orl-Atl routes are scheduled for the new double decker buses very soon
wow. double deckers...that's cool
What's the status? Safely en-route to ATL yet?
Yes..finally back on the road...ETA in ATL is 7:30...11 hours after leaving Jax
Does anyone know if the double deckers will allow for taking ones bike?? Man, I'd love to take one of these if that were the case (so I wouldn't have to rent a car).
(http://www3.airlinesanddestinations.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/100610-megabusny-01.jpg)
http://www.youtube.com/v/gsKiVxLkHUc?version=3&hl=en_US
QuoteLow-Cost Travel
NEW YORK (April 16, 2009) - Due to passenger demand megabus.com, the first intercity, express bus service with fares as low as $1, has converted its entire Philadelphia fleet to double-decker touring buses.
“Megabus.com has served more than 163,000 customers to and from Philadelphia since our Northeast launch in May 2008. Due to the popularity of the service, we have converted the entire Philadelphia fleet to the innovative double-decker bus while offering the same great rates,†said Dale Moser, president and COO of megabus.com.
The 81-passenger, 13.1 feet high, double-decker buses offer free WiFi, power outlets and DVD video capabilities as well as a panoramic view comfortable reclining seats restroom, safety belts and ADA accessibility.
The double-decker, which is designed with the latest technology available, also provides significant environmental benefits. Each new double-decker bus has the potential to remove 81 automobiles from the highway and is among the most energy and fuel efficient way to travel. According to Moser, the double-decker is 10 times more efficient than a 737 airplane and 25 times more efficient than a single-passenger car per passenger per mile.
Specifically the megabus.com double-decker’s fuel consumption per passenger per mile is .002 gallon, a 737 is .02 gallon and a single-passenger car is .05 gallon.
Megabus.com is the first company to use double-decker buses to carry passengers intercity in the United States.
Van Hool is a Belgian coach builder, but for Floridian's it's the home team. The best part of this story the US distributor for these coaches is ABC BUS of Orlando, Florida. For years the builder used Fiat engines, transmissions and mechanics, but with the opening of the US market they now use a buyers choice of engines and axles sourced from Caterpillar, Cummins, DAF and MAN and gearboxes from ZF or Voith, some of their production consists of building bus and coach bodies on bus chassis from manufacturers such as Volvo and Scania. ABC can do all of the finishing for new coach orders here in Florida. Seats from American Seating and other details created here in the USA, giving these coaches a degree of US content.
(for education purposes, all 'coaches' are buses, but NOT ALL BUSES are coaches.) http://www.abc-companies.com/models/td925.asp
Several other companies have ordered the Van Hool double deck coaches, including a tour line over in the Florida panhandle.
Megabus can max out revenue from the double deck coaches and cattle car conditions, it just might work, but for my dime I'd follow the RedBus lead and install 2+1 seating and expand the leg room. While this involves removing a couple of seats you more likely to get a loyal passenger following. Had TUFSU been in a coach with lots of leg room and nice WIDE seats, his delay might have been more tolerable.
SILVER EAGLE COACH, is planning to restart the long known deluxe coach manufacturing business, something it dominated until it got mixed up in the Greyhound - Trailway's fiasco of the 1980's. Sadly, it appears that our own chance at a coach builder, SILVER EAGLE, is slipping from our city's grasp. Though I informed the mayors advisors, and the CofC, in talking with the owner of Silver Eagle I have learned they have done exactly NOTHING! The Chamber of Commerce hasn't bothered to peruse this, and JTA, which needs to replace it's older express commuter coaches has likewise ignored this opportunity. I know the Eagle people, and they were/are willing to move the finishing plant if not the entire operation to Jacksonville if we'd place a 2-6 coach order. Someone needs a swift kick because once again, being asleep at the wheel is costing Jacksonville:
A new industry
Many new jobs
More comfort for our commuters
and a shot at growing with EAGLE as they reenter the market.
SEE: http://www.silvereaglebus.com/
OCKLAWAHA
while wider seats would be nice, the current configuration is fine.....and btw, we didn't sit on the bus during the delay...we were at a truck stop
Quote from: tufsu1 on February 03, 2012, 03:42:28 PM
actually most everyone is calm....the driver has been very friendly and helpful.
the key here is apparently this is one of the older buses...and folks who have ridden before say this almost never happens.
the driver did tell me the Jax-Atl and Orl-Atl routes are scheduled for the new double decker buses very soon
I was surprised they didn't have the doubledecker buses already when I took it up to Atlanta last month. The one I rode up looked like a very old greyhound bus basically. That's a rough delay. Did the wifi work at least?
How is this doing in JAX - is it going strong?
Unfortunately, I was just reminded of this thread when I saw this story:
Megabus crash in Illinois; 1 dead, 3 dozen hurt
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hNkkOfeR-3QBW4bdM0OtQnEEU3WA?docId=c71b06c9523d4c5cbf5e83bd533bb3d2