Bolt Bus Is Bunk!
Everyone is very excited about Bolt Bus. DC to New York for $1, with wireless and no pee smell! I didn't believe it. So I went online, and started booking. I ordered tickets for more than a month from know and it still rang up at $7 one-way. Ok, fine I thought. Not quite the best deal, but still better than Chinatown. Four tries later, I still haven't gotten the website to work. It acts like it's thinking, with a little lightening bolt symbol popping up, but nothing happens, ever. Has anyone gotten this thing to actually work?
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3:48 pm
I bought two tickets for the end of the month. Worked peachy dandy. Maybe you just had a lot of competition for those particular seats?
4:46 pm
Yep, as linked, I bought two roundtrip tickets. Grand total was actually $4.50, not $5.
6:12 pm
Worked for me as well - two roundtrip tickets for $4.50. Can't beat it. But I guess the moment of truth will come when I try to board this "Bolt Bus," assuming it's not simply a malfunctioney internet front for an elaborate money laundering scheme or, worse, a figment of our collective imaginations hoping for something a little less smelly and life-threatening than the Chinatown bus...
3:18 pm
I had trouble getting their site. Could not come up with a schedule for April. If you're tired of the lousy Chinatown buses, go to Vamoose bus. It's $25 one way to NYC from DC, and is efficient, comfortable, and on time.
1:00 pm
No problems, bought ticket for a dollar plus tax .50.
11:09 pm
I registered, bought some tickets (even got one for $1) but my account shows I have no Bolt Rewards. Do they appear after the date of the trip? Anyone able to get rewards yet?
9:46 pm
I work on the website at Bolt, Angela, What browser version are you using?
Also, Ajay, if you log into the Loyalty program and you have bought tickets, it should say you are 'x' rides away from earning a free ticket...does yours say anything?
9:26 am
Two roundtrips for $4.50" ??... It's $35 per roudtrip in fact - no matter what browser version.
What's the fucking joke?
11:24 am
There are $1.00 fares available on each schedule until they are sold out.
There is no joke, and I would appreciate you not using innapropriate language.
The fact is that most of the $1.00 fares are sold out due to high demand. Take a look at NY to Philly about a month out and you will see the fares for a buck.
The web is tuned for Internet Explorer 6 and 7. I am truly trying to make sure that if people are seeing issues they get resolved. If you have a browser version that is not working, or you have an issue, I want to know so we can take care of it.
I would appreciate the input. Also, if anyone has ridden the bus, let me know what you think about the wi-fi.
5:12 pm
Just a warning to all you mac users - they use WEP/128 security for the wireless network - which isn't compatible with a mac - so no wireless for me! :(
5:27 pm
The DC2NY bus offers Mac-compatible wifi. Really slow connection, though.
6:32 pm
The way I see it, ladies, we need Bolt Bus like an one-armed bus driver needs an itchy ass.
Verdad, MarkO?
1:04 pm
Whether on Mac or PC, I wouldn't complain about connection speed.....It's better then no connection at all like almost any other bus company out there. And, a note on price...Would you rather $35 for a clean bus with internet or $25 for a crappy bus with no internet that breaks down and leaves you waiting on the highway for 2 hours for another bus to pick you up??? If you are that pressed to pay $35 I suggest that you make earlier plans so that you can purchase the $1 fare when they are available.
7:49 am
BusZoo.com has more $1.00 tickets available and also they have free Wi-Fi for Mac and PC.
11:04 pm
Question (for Mark O, or anyone who knows): if I register for Bolt rewards, and buy 2 tickets for 2 people under my registration, does that give me one reward or two for a one way trip?
11:33 am
I went RT from DC to NY this weekend. Great bus, great service, on time. My only complaint is the lack of Mac Wi-Fi on the return leg to DC (going to NYC was fine, as the router wasn't pw protected...connection speed was fine, btw). Why even pw protect these routers at all? It's not like anyone not on the bus can access it for more than a few minutes anyway....
6:13 pm
Good news, we have removed the WEP key from the internet devices, so all users (Mac and PC) should be able to use it now.
Also, I will check on the rewards question.
Mark
10:11 pm
I found out that you get credit for each trip you purchase. So if you buy 2 one-way tickets in 1 transaction, you get 2 credits.
6:58 pm
I'm planning to take the Bolt Bus this weekend, but am a little hesitant because I read on some other blogs that some buses arrived at the pick-up location late or not at all. Has anyone ridden the Bolt Bus this past week? Did the bus arrive for pick-up on schedule? Otherwise I'll book on VamooseBus.
8:51 pm
I rode the Bolt Bus last week. Everything went peachy.
5:48 pm
Thanks for your report Arthur--I'll book my ticket now!
1:37 pm
short version: Bolt Bus highly recommended, incredible value!
I took the Bolt from DC to NYC this morning. It was perfect. $15 two days ago. Clean, comfy, great wireless for my Macintosh. Chatted with friends the whole way.
Now I'm posting this comment *from* my 2nd Bolt, NYC to Boston, also $15 purchased two days ago. Everything on time, even though there was some heavy traffic. Only "problem", I forgot to register before I bought my tickets so no reward points for those. Tip: register first!
Marc O: I had some minor troubles with the web site from Firefox. Happy to give you details if you want to write to discardia aht constella daht org.
9:33 am
I've taken Bolt Bus to NYC from DC with a friend. I bought both of our tickets about a month in advanced off the website and while I didn't get that $1 fare... I can't complain about buying two round trip tickets for $55. The Bus left on time. We ran into a couple of traffic problems on the way which made our arrival time about 30 minutes later than scheduled. That didn't bother me as I was expecting worse. Clean and comfortable.. I watched DVD the driver put in... I plugged in my computer to check e-mail... later I took a nap!!! It made the idea of taking the train or a plane almost obsolete (esp for the price and hassle)
On the way back, we were ready to leave NYC a couple of hours before our scheduled departure time. There was room on the earlier bus and the driver allowed us to take that earlier bus... no issues or extra paying.
I don't expect every trip I take with them to be 100% perfect but, from what I have experienced thus far, I will use it again and I am recommending it to my friends
8:26 pm
I ordered a round-trip ticket, but only get a receipt for 1 way although I paid for round-trip. Is there a phone number. I am not getting a response from their e-mail address.
10:59 am
My husband and I, both senior citizens, but young at heart, had an awesome trip on BOLT on May 20...polite driver, comfy seats, clean bathroom, many screens for DVD. What more could you ask for that amount of money? We are BOLT fans.
9:08 pm
How is it possible for the bus to make it to NYC from DC in 4 hours at all of the time points, isn't traffic worse on Friday? It looks like it takes the same amount of time if I leave at 2 pm vs. 4 pm.....
1:11 am
It's true, the bus does not always make it in 4 hours. I recently rode Bolt Bus on the 11th and again on the 13th. Both times, the bus arrived late picking up and late at the destination. It took 5.5-6 hours to get to NYC from DC on Sunday night. It was a little ridiculous and tiring. The driver was not in a hurry at all, stopping for a 30 minute bathroom break half way. The driver was really nice and the ride itself was pleasant, just long.
8:10 am
Some drivers are wise enough to favor the Holland Tunnel (DC-NYC) vs. the Lincoln around 5 pm (left D.C around 1 pm).
Having driven a lot in tht area at that time of day, I would also favor the Holland.
11:36 am
Despite a fair amount of skepticism in Bolt’s early days, it sounds like the concept worked out remarkably well after all. It has speed, amenities, flexibility and punctuality. Quite inexpensive, too.
Although I’d much rather that in addition it used an alternative energy such as natural gas or electricity.
12:03 pm
I had no notion you were so into buses, Ernest.
1:48 pm
Hey Mark O,
I haven't ridden or tried the website, but I appreciate you coming online and speaking on it. I may use it now just because of your input on this board.
Thanks
10:35 pm
I took it for one trip from DC to NYC with no hitch.
Clean, WIFI, not crowded, pickups on time coming and going.
Recommended that my wife take it on her own and worked fine.
We booked a trip from DC to NYC for a family event and I hope the track record stays intact.
I hate to drive that distance and if you have to sit in traffic, it might be as a passenger rather than a driver.
BTW $60 for both of us, round trip...Not bad...
10:45 am
i've ridden BOLT about 7 times now - mostly btw nyc and philly, once btw nyc and boston. i'm very pleased so far with service and pricing. wireless works great (sometimes a little slow, but can't complain). i've only ridden during off-hours though (i.e. not on weekends or rush hour). anyone have any huge delays worth mentioning? the website is a little clunky at times, and i'm having trouble changing my profile information...
thanks.
2:38 am
hi, i just took bolt this weekend from philly to nyc. it was great. the bus from philly had leather/or leather like seats, smelled great and was right on time. the rtn had cloth seats -- my wireless cnx was great and i paid $10.50 round trip. love it.
8:04 pm
Please tell me if your bus makes a pick up/drop off in Baltimore. I would love an alternative to the Chinese bus or regular Greyhound. Please add a Baltimore stop.
2:02 pm
A great idea but looks as though the site is part scam and part wishful thinking. Either way it doesn't add up. I was just charged for booking a trip I never even booked! How'd that happen?? I sincerely doubt it was my browser version.
9:41 pm
I have been trying to go on the website to book a reservation, but I keep getting an error message: Description: An error occurred during the compilation of a resource required to service this request. Please review the following specific error details and modify your source code appropriately.
Compiler Error Message: CS0012: The type 'UI.Controls.UserControlBase' is defined in an assembly that is not referenced. You must add a reference to assembly 'App_Code.irzqxni6, Version=0.0.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=null'.
12:11 pm
I booked a trip from DC to NY last week. I logged in before booking, but immediately after I booked it didn't show any bolt rewards credits. I tried going back yesterday 8/18 to see if the trips have been logged to my account, and I'm getting the same error message kathya got. Is something wrong with the site?
2:44 pm
The simple answer is yes, folks. It's extremely erroneous.
Looks like MarkO fellow modified the code to the point of non-compilation.
11:49 am
We took the Bolt Bus to NYC the weekend of 8/15. Buses were immaculate and comfortable, drivers were professional, and we arrived on time. We paid $35 round trip per person and had no difficulties with the website. The Bolt Bus service provides an excellent service for a very reasonable price.
1:11 pm
I’ve always known that Bolt Bus will turn out well. Now it has. The dream came true. My only scruple is the carbon impact.
9:41 am
After some problems with the website (see my 8/19 note above) my trip to NY this weekend went without a hitch. Apparently they credit the trip rewards to your account on the date of travel, not when it is booked. The 33rd St drop off location is right across from Penn Station, making it very easy to get out to LI if you don't have someone to pick you up in the city. It was way more convenient and MUCH cheaper than making the drive myself. I'll definitely ride them again.
3:51 pm
is this bus insured? i am nervous to go on
4:18 pm
Courage, Laurenda.
Have a swig of Wild Turkey, if you must.
11:22 pm
I found another BoltBus review here:
http://www.mattsilverman.com/2008/08/best-bus-lines-from-dc-to-nyc-review.html
They are owned by Greyhound and they are definitely insured. It can be as much as $25 each way however, so book early!
12:54 pm
I took the bolt bus this past weekend. While it was cheap and had wifi, the seats were really small, just like a regular bus. No leather seats, no "extra" room - just as crappy a ride as a regular bus in terms of comfort.
But it was nice to have wifi and no ridulously loud, stupid movie on that I don't want to watch and prevents me from being able to sleep.
6:50 pm
Eastern Travel is HELL!!! The company of thugs stranded over 30 customers at Penn Station who had already waited three hours for a return trip to Washington, DC. Many had already paid. It took a sit-in by angry customers and a call to the police to get Eastern Travel to listen. They wouldn't answer phone calls from customers, the drivers or the New York Police. This company is a scam!!! Do NOT use Eastern Travel!! Here's footage: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ENx7gtrL7k
1:26 pm
did yall know bolt is greyhound
2:09 pm
hey everyone did yall know that greyhound has a new fleet of buses prevost just like bolt and new setra the big luxury buses with tv wifi and outlets understand that greyhound is alittle bit more that insure the bus has insurance and safe terminal's that shield you from cold snow rain and is safe now if we are that hard up on 40 or 50 $ compared to safety or geting sick or if my bus is in a wreck at least my billls are paid if we want better from greyhound and cheaper service we need to tell them what we need comments
10:00 am
I've sent two e-mails to your website about possible employment. Can you tell me how to get in contact with someone?
3:05 pm
Website isn't working....I'm using IE 7...Is BoltBus still running????
9:27 am
make sure javascript is enabled or the site seems dead.
3:20 pm
is there a service from philly to dc? we cannot get dc as destination from philly. can marc o help?
3:16 pm
Don't rely on BoltBus if you ever need to work. Their internet and electrical outlets are unreliable. The only reason I'd ever chose them is because they have both internet and electrical outlets, while other companies don't. But in my extensive experience, their amenities work less than half of the time. When they don't work, their drivers are unapologetic and their customer service representatives are confrontational. I'll never spend a dollar of my travel money again on this company, which is just a subsidiary of Greyhound, so I'm not sure why I'm always surprised when stuff does not work.
8:17 am
Is there a way to buy tickets for travel between DC and Boston with assured seats