BoltBus
{{Short description|American commercial intercity bus service}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2017}}
{{Infobox Bus transit
| name = BoltBus
| logo = BoltBus_logo.png
| logo_size = 250px
| image = File:BoltBus 0889 in Portland Oregon 2014.jpg
| image_size =250px
| image_caption = A BoltBus in Portland, Oregon, in 2014
| parent = Greyhound Lines
| founded = {{start date and age|2008|03|27}}
| defunct = {{end date and age|2021|07|01}}
| headquarters = One Dallas Center
350 N St. Paul St
Dallas, Texas, U.S.
| service_area = Northeastern United States
Pacific Northwest
California/Nevada
| service_type = Intercity bus service
| destinations =Northeast:
Baltimore; Boston; Cherry Hill; Greenbelt, Maryland; Newark, New Jersey; New Haven, Connecticut; New York City; Philadelphia; Washington, D.C.
Northwest:
Albany; Bellingham; Eugene; Portland; Seattle; Vancouver
| fleet = 101 units:
70 Prevost X3-45
31 MCI D4505
| fuel_type = Diesel
| operator = Greyhound Lines
}}
BoltBus was an intercity bus common carrier and a division of Greyhound Lines that operated from March 2008 until July 2021 in the northeast and western United States and British Columbia, Canada.
At least one ticket on every bus was randomly sold for $1, excluding "handling charges".{{Cite news | url=https://www.oregonlive.com/travel/2015/01/bolt_bus_provides_cheap_freque.html | title=Bolt Bus provides cheap, frequent, convenient service along Interstate 5, Portland to Seattle or Eugene | first=Terry | last=Richard | work=The Oregonian | date=January 27, 2015}}{{Cite news | url=https://www.geekwire.com/2021/cheap-tech-friendly-boltbus-rolled-into-greyhound-during-service-renovations/ | title=Cheap, tech friendly BoltBus is rolled into Greyhound during 'service renovations' | first=KURT | last=SCHLOSSER | work=GeekWire | date=July 1, 2021}} The $1 fare was the basis for its slogan "Bolt for a Buck".{{cite magazine | title=Beating $4 Gas with a $1 Bus | url=http://content.time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,1812012,00.html | first=Anita | last=Hamilton | magazine=Time | date=June 6, 2008 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080607204731/http://www.time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,1812012,00.html?imw=Y | archive-date=June 7, 2008 | url-status=live}}
In the northeast, BoltBus provided service between New York City and South Station Bus Terminal in Boston, Union Station in Washington, D.C., Penn Station in Baltimore, the Greenbelt Metro station in Greenbelt, Maryland, Penn Station in Newark, 30th Street Station in Philadelphia, and the Cherry Hill Mall in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. On the west coast, BoltBus service was offered in Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia, Canada. Service was available between International District/Chinatown station in Seattle and Portland, Pacific Central Station in Vancouver, Bellingham, Albany, and Eugene.
The BoltBus branding incorporated a thunderbolt logo similar to the one used by the British Union of Fascists, but the company claimed that the resemblance was purely coincidental.{{cite news | last=Cedotal | first=Andrew | title=Is Bolt Bus Using the Logo of a British Fascist Party? | url=https://www.themarysue.com/is-bolt-bus-fascist/ | work=The Mary Sue | date=January 25, 2010}}{{cite news | last=Hopper | first=Tristin | title=Fascist, schmaschist: Why a West Coast bus company picked the same logo as some dead British fascists | url=https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/bus-companys-logo-identical-to-notorious-u-k-fascist-groups-but-theyre-sticking-with-it | work=National Post | date=January 28, 2016}}
When ticketed, passengers were assigned to a boarding group (S, A, B & C). Passengers who purchased their tickets earlier or were members of the company's loyalty program or had special needs got an earlier boarding group assignment.{{Cite web | url=https://www.wanderu.com/blog/boltbus-ticket/ | title=How to Read Your BoltBus Ticket | first=Tom | last=Gambardella | work=Wanderu | date=September 13, 2019}}
History
File:BoltBus Prevost X3-45 0800.jpg X3-45 in New York City.]]
In March 2008, facing competition from Chinatown bus lines in the northeast, Greyhound and Peter Pan Bus Lines partnered to launch BoltBus as a lower-cost brand.{{cite news | url=https://www.bizjournals.com/washington/stories/2008/03/03/daily12.html | title=Boltbus starts from D.C. to New York City service | last=Killian | first=Erin | work=American City Business Journals | date=March 4, 2008 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080329004519/http://sanantonio.bizjournals.com/washington/stories/2008/03/03/daily12.html | archive-date=March 29, 2008| url-status=live}}{{cite news | title=Peter Pan, Greyhound offer new bus service | url=https://www.masslive.com/news/2008/03/peter_pan_greyhound_offer_new.html | first=Jim | last=Kinney | work=The Republican | date=March 11, 2008}}
The first route was between New York City and Washington, D.C., launched on March 27, 2008, followed by a route between New York City and Philadelphia launched on April 10, 2008, and between New York City and Boston launched on April 24, 2008.{{Cite news | url=https://www.nydailynews.com/news/boltbus-1-maiden-voyage-midtown-thursday-article-1.290831 | title=Bus fare to D.C. a dollar, not a dream! | last=O'Neill | first=Xana | work=New York Daily News | date=March 27, 2008 | url-access=limited}}
That year, the company was named one of America's hottest brands by Ad Age.{{Cite news | url=https://adage.com/article/special-report-americas-hottest-brands-2009/bolt-bus-america-s-hottest-brands-case-study/140463 | title=BOLT BUS: AN AMERICA'S HOTTEST BRANDS CASE STUDY | first=Rupal | last=Parekh | work=Ad Age | date=November 16, 2009 | url-access=subscription}}
Stops in Baltimore and Greenbelt, Maryland were added in 2009.{{Cite news | url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/bs-mtblog-2009-04-boltbus_launching_service_from-story.html | title=BoltBus launching service: Baltimore to NYC for $1 | first=Michelle | last=Deal-Zimmerman | work=The Baltimore Sun | date=April 30, 2009 | url-access=limited}}
A stop in Newark, New Jersey was added on March 24, 2011.{{Cite news | url=https://www.bizjournals.com/baltimore/news/2011/03/08/boltbus-adds-baltimore-newark-nj.html | title=BoltBus adds Baltimore-Newark, N.J., route | first=Jeff | last=Clabaugh | work=American City Business Journals | date=March 8, 2011}}{{Cite press release | url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/boltbus-expands-its-newark-nj-hub-with-service-to-boston-and-philadelphia-beginning-june-23-123803979.html | title=BoltBus Expands its Newark, N.J. Hub With Service to Boston and Philadelphia Beginning June 23 | publisher=PR Newswire | date=June 14, 2011}}{{Cite news | url=https://www.patriotledger.com/story/business/2011/06/14/boltbus-launches-new-route-between/40043878007/ | title=BoltBus launches new route between Boston and Philadelphia | work=The Patriot Ledger | date=June 14, 2011 | url-access=limited}}
BoltBus expanded to the Pacific Northwest on May 17, 2012, offering service between Seattle and Portland.{{cite news | url=https://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2012/04/30/boltbus-to-offer-fares-as-low-as-2.html | title=BoltBus to offer $1 fares between Seattle, Portland | first=Jennifer | last=Sokolowsky | work=American City Business Journals | date=April 30, 2012}} Unlike the service in the northeast, Greyhound operated its BoltBus service on the west coast without a partner bus carrier. Service in the Pacific Northwest was expanded to Vancouver and Bellingham on May 31, 2012{{cite news | title=BoltBus adds a Vancouver, B.C. line from Seattle | url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/boltbus-adds-a-vancouver-b-c-line-from-seattle/ | first=Mike | last=Lindblom | work=The Seattle Times | date=May 14, 2012}} and to Albany and Eugene on October 3, 2013.{{cite press release | title=BoltBus To Expand Oregon Service To Eugene And Albany On Oct. 3 | url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/boltbus-to-expand-oregon-service-to-eugene-and-albany-on-oct-3-223139361.html |publisher=PR Newswire | date=September 10, 2013}}
BoltBus expanded into California on October 31, 2013, offering service between Los Angeles and San Jose and Oakland.{{cite press release | url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/boltbus-to-launch-service-in-california-on-oct-31-227822291.html | title=BoltBus To Launch Service In California On Oct. 31 | publisher=PR Newswire | date=October 15, 2013}} A stop at Transbay Terminal in San Francisco was added to the route on December 12, 2013.{{cite press release | url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/boltbus-expands-from-los-angeles-adds-las-vegas-san-francisco-service-235260791.html | title=BoltBus Expands From Los Angeles; Adds Las Vegas, San Francisco Service | publisher=PR Newswire | date=December 10, 2013}}
A second route between Union Station in Los Angeles and San Diego was added on November 14, 2013.{{cite press release | url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/boltbus-continues-california-expansion-adds-san-diego-service-230855361.html | title=BoltBus Continues California Expansion, Adds San Diego Service | publisher=PR Newswire | date=November 6, 2013}}
On December 12, 2013, a route was added between Los Angeles Union Station and Las Vegas, with a stop in Barstow.
In 2015, it added a pickup in Hollywood, Los Angeles for routes to/from Northern California.{{Cite news | url=https://www.latimes.com/travel/california/la-trb-hollywood-bolt-bus-20150113-story.html | title=BoltBus adds Hollywood pickup for Northern California routes | first=MARY | last=FORGIONE | work=Los Angeles Times | date=January 14, 2015 | url-access=limited}}
In October 2016, the company launched a new onboard entertainment system.{{Cite press release | url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/boltbus-launches-all-new-on-board-entertainment-system-300350190.html | title=BoltBus Launches All New On-Board Entertainment System | publisher=PR Newswire | date=October 25, 2016}}
Effective September 27, 2017, after a lengthy legal skirmish, Greyhound and Peter Pan Bus Lines ended their partnership and Greyhound became the sole owner of BoltBus.{{Cite news | url=https://www3.bostonglobe.com/business/2017/08/29/greyhound-peter-pan-will-split-and-rivals-again/NUe8YqNnDgxpsPjHhn2HWO/story.html | title=Greyhound, Peter Pan will split up and be rivals again | first=Adam | last=Vaccaro | work=The Boston Globe | url-access=limited | date=August 29, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170914215643/https://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2017/08/29/greyhound-peter-pan-will-split-and-rivals-again/NUe8YqNnDgxpsPjHhn2HWO/story.html |archive-date=September 14, 2017 | url-status=live}}
On October 19, 2017, BoltBus service was extended to Fresno, California, with routes to Los Angeles, Hollywood, San Jose, San Francisco, and Oakland.{{cite press release | url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/boltbus-expanding-service-in-california-adding-fresno-ca-300535762.html | title=BoltBus Expanding Service in California, adding Fresno, CA | publisher=PR Newswire | date=October 12, 2017}}
In March 2019, BoltBus added stops in Tacoma, Washington and Everett, Washington.{{Cite news | url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/discount-bus-service-launches-from-everett-station/ | title=BoltBus links Everett to Seattle and other big I-5 cities | first=Janice | last=Podsada | work=The Everett Herald | date=March 8, 2019}} It also added a stop in Wilmington, Delaware.{{Cite news | url=https://technical.ly/diversity-equity-inclusion/boltbus-new-line-from-wilmington-to-baltimore-and-dc/ | title=BoltBus just made it easier to get from Wilmington to Baltimore and DC | first=Holly | last=Quinn | work=Technically Media | date=April 3, 2019}}
On July 1, 2021, BoltBus discontinued its operations.{{Cite news | title=RIP, BoltBus — the affordable, trendy bus company has discontinued service; Greyhound will take over its routes | url=https://www.seattletimes.com/life/travel/rip-boltbus-the-affordable-trendy-bus-company-has-discontinued-service-and-greyhound-will-take-over-its-routes/ | work=The Seattle Times | last=Kiley | first=Brendan | date=July 1, 2021}}{{cite news | last=Wilkinson | first=Joseph | title=Discount bus brand BoltBus indefinitely suspended, Greyhound taking over routes | url=https://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/ny-boltbus-finished-greyhound-20210702-zdkmfqbxdbdwtdeihbvw7v74ra-story.html | work=New York Daily News | date=July 1, 2021 | url-access=limited}}
In September 2021, FlixMobility acquired Greyhound.{{Cite press release | title=FlixMobility acquires Greyhound to Expand U.S. Intercity Bus Services | url=https://corporate.flixbus.com/flixmobility-acquires-greyhound-to-expand-us-intercity-bus-services/ | publisher=Flixbus | date=October 21, 2021}}
Fleet
File:BoltBus D4505.jpg D4505 stopped at Pacific Central Station in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.]]
BoltBus routes used Prevost X3-45 and MCI D4505 coaches. All motorcoaches were equipped with wireless internet access and seats that had armrests, footrests, seat belts, cup holders. Most seats had a pair of 120-volt power outlets. The motorcoaches used on BoltBus had 5 fewer seats than the industry standard, giving passengers additional legroom and eliminating the middle seat from the last row.
| class="wikitable" | ||||
| Manufacturer | Model | Year | Fleet numbers | Notes{{cite web | url=https://apps.txdmv.gov/apps/mccs/truckstop/ | website=Texas Department of Motor Vehicles | title=Welcome to Truck Stop}} |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| rowspan="3" |Prevost | rowspan="3" |X3-45 | 2008 | 0800-0832 | rowspan="3" | Powered by Detroit Diesel Series 60 14L. Equipped with Amaya Patriot PT seating.
2017 year models are powered by the Volvo D13 |
| 2009 | 0833-0837, 0840-0841, 0843-0851, 0854-0870 | |||
| 2017
|0908-0922 | ||||
| rowspan="2" |Motor Coach Industries | rowspan="2" |D4505 | 2012 | 0886 | Owned by Motor Coach Industries, replacement unit for 0883. |
| 2014 | 0887-0901 | Powered by Cummins ISX12. Equipped with American Seating Premier. | ||
| Van Hool
|CX-45 |2015 |0902-0907 | |
References
{{Reflist}}
Further reading
- Bowen, Alison, [https://web.archive.org/web/20120615194408/http://www.metro.us/newyork/local/article/1011915--curbside-buses-more-dangerous "Boltbus, Megabus and Fung-Wah: Curbside buses more dangerous: Buses that pick up passengers off the street are more dangerous than those that use a terminal, a new report found"], Metro newspaper, New York City, October 31, 2011
External links
{{Commons category|BoltBus}}
{{FirstGroup}}
Category:Bus transportation in New Jersey
Category:Bus transportation in Oregon
Category:Bus transportation in Washington (state)