Megabus, Boltbus Bid CityCenter Adieu
The impending start of construction on CityCenterDC means the end of something that Washingtonians have gotten used to over the last few years: Beginning and ending their regional bus trips on a gigantic blacktop at 10th and H Streets NW.
For a couple of years, the Washington Convention and Sports Authority has had a licensing agreement with U Street Parking, which rented the lot to Megabus and Boltbus on a per-departure basis. Starting in December, the bus lines knew they'd have to find new space, and started looking.
Where did they land? Boltbus found a spot at New Jersey and F Street NW, very near Union Station, where it still does a good chunk of its pickup and drop off. Megabus will relocate to a parking lot on North Capitol and K Street, across from Gonzaga High School (Boltbus says it considered this option, but rejected it as too far from a Metro stop.)
1:43 pm
Really, really unfortunate news. How do the Chinatown buses have convenient locations but Bolt and Mega couldn't do as well?
2:19 pm
Not a big deal, I can't imagine a few extra blocks will stop people from getting free wi-fi on a bus trip.
3:16 pm
This site was to be for two major department stores who expressed intrest with one of them being Macy's the other was to be Nordstrom. The city screwed around with this proposal and thus we now have a stupid parking lot and bus depot!
4:02 pm
Uh, Rick - you realize the reason the buses are moving is because they're about to start construction, right?
4:36 pm
Ugh. Sucky location megabus. It's bad enough your buses never arrive or depart on time and you always cancel over an inch of snow.
5:07 pm
Sounds good to me. While it would have been ideal to consolidate these services to the parking garage of Union Station, the general proximity to Amtrak, Metro, cabs, etc. makes for easy connections to the rest of the city.
I am going to assume that these spots are semi-temporary anyway, anyone know what the story is with the Union Station parking garage and if they intend to use that first level as a larger bus hub in the future? Does BoltBus continue to have departures from there?
5:48 pm
Unfortunate news to the buslines, but perhaps good news to the district and urban (re)development in general. I'm definitely switching to Chinatown buses if this becomes official, metro-accessibility/ proximity is key to me and I prefer not to haul luggage that far.
6:06 pm
Does anyone know when these moves will actually take place? I have several future reservations and work at 7th/Eye so it was super convenient.
6:17 pm
@AJS - Whoops, forgot to say that Boltbus will make the switch starting February 28th, but I'm not sure about Megabus.
8:53 pm
'Alex B', but they are building a half-ass version of retail because the city got involved, far short of the two department store proposed ten years ago!
9:57 pm
@Campy
The long term plan is still for the buses to move to Union Station, but it will take some time and money for it to happen. This includes new elevators and stairs from the H Street bridge down to First Street (which will also be used for the streetcar), and structural and fire safety upgrades to the parking deck.
11:30 pm
This SUCKS!!! Talk about crappy locations.
1) N Cap and K is a dump. Not a very inviting walk to/from the metro after dark. I'm guessing safety is going to be an issue. What a welcome to DC.
Reminds me of taking Greyhound from NYC. There were a few foreigners on the bus. There 1st impressions of DC was of an empty, drab 9-5 office district, where the homeless constituted the only foot traffic. Could tell they wanted to get right back on the bus to NYC.
2) The old location was near all 5 metro lines. Now most will have to transfer lines. That is a big deal for the early/late buses.
Why couldn't they have used one the streets near the current location. 8th street NW is a worthless, why not use it for loading/unloading?
9:42 am
I am positive that Megabus will FAIL to tell anyone about this move, just as they change their schedules and don't notify their customers. Let's hope this helps Megabus go out of business where it belongs!
10:44 am
Am I wasted? I swear I picked up the last Bolt Bus ride I took in the parking garage at Union Station (mezzanine level).
11:20 am
Why can't Bolt use the Grey Hound terminal? Same parent company and all....
12:00 pm
How about a establishing boardings at L'Enfant plaza, during the day it would be pretty congested, but that area could really use some additional round-the-clock activity. It's also close to the freeway, VRE/Amtrak stop and 4 metro lines.
5:45 pm
No Trulee, you're not wasted. The Bolts leaving from Union Station parking garage will still leave from there. But the bulk of Boltbus routes, which left from downtown, are leaving for 90 F Street. Bolts explanation is, there is not enough room in the garage at Union Station to have all their buses leave from there.
11:05 pm
I'm not telling the Bolt people how to do their business, but there's a *lot* of room on the mezzanine level of Union Station parking. It is used for nothing but busses now, no car parking at all. And easy Metro access! Oh, well, see you at 90 F Street.
11:13 pm
Looks like I'll be making the switch to DCtoNY. These new locations are awful, especially the Megabus location.
2:00 pm
FYI - this change takes effect on March 1 according to the Megabus website. I wish i had known this when I booked my March 5 bus tickets for the weekend after that. Great. At least anybody traveling this weekend can use the H street location, still.
3:13 pm
The Megabus site is atrocious! Living in Columbia Heights, that is either an $8 taxi, or quite a stroll from the metro, which will include a transfer from yellow to red. I assume their business will be way down, and they will need to look for another spot.
1:18 pm
Horrible location, Megabus. Adieu to you.
8:58 am
That is one long walk with luggage from 90 F Street back to your car in the Union Station garage, or to nearest Metro stop. Bolt Bus just lost my business.....