Get Back on the Bus

When I dropped off a friend at the bus station in downtown Vancouver so she could catch her bus to Victoria, I saw that the bus industry had stepped things up several notches since the days when I used to travel by bus.

It seems that Greyhound and its sister company, Bolt Bus, offer many compelling reasons why it makes good sense to leave your car behind for the weekend. I haven’t travelled by bus for more than a decade so I’m not sure when they started equipping buses with WiFi capability and electric device plug-ins – but these additions make a lot of sense. In cases where air travel has focused on decreased leg room in order to squeeze in more passengers, Greyhound and Bolt Bus have removed seats to make way for extra leg room. Another benefit is their reserved seating option.

What also strikes me as clever is the way they are touting the “green” angle by educating consumers about the fact that each of their environmentally friendly buses means 40 fewer cars on the road. One of their statistics even states that “buses generate nearly three times less carbon dioxide per passenger per kilometre than a hybrid vehicle.”

What also intrigues me about Bolt Bus was the decision to expand bus routes to American destinations from Canadian departure points, including Vancouver. Additionally, when I explored booking a ticket online for Bolt Bus, I discovered I could do it from my smart phone because they have a very simple smart phone application.

I am truly impressed with the level of convenience available for this mode of transportation and how far it has advanced since last time I travelled by bus. As a result, I am definitely open to the idea of putting aside my car to go to places like Seattle or Portland by bus and enjoy the ride.

What’s your perspective of getting on the bus?

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