Boltbus Reviewed (with updates)

I rode Boltbus on its opening weekend, March 28, 2008. The bus was only a quarter full despite having been sold out. The secure wifi network (WEP) clocked in at 3911.3 kb/s. The The seats were comfortable. The bus even had a new car smell. I can only find 3 faults, perhaps 4, with the company: (1) the trip is 30 mins longer than its competitors in the DC-NY market (4.50 hours), (2) a 4 ft tall plexiglass gate separates passengers from the driver, which can make the bus feel like a prison bus once the plexiglass is worn down, (3) dim reading lights, and (4) (maybe a negative) no pit-stop.

UPDATED July 28, 2008: I've probably taken Boltbus 20+ times since March, including a trip from DC to Boston via NY. The internet speed is much slower. I think it's a cellphone connection. The more users connected to the network, the slower the speed. So now, the speed now is comparable to dial-ups circa 1996.

The upholstery seats have been replaced on most NY-DC buses to fake leather seats. It feels better and looks much cleaner. That's probably because it's easier to clean. No new car smell anymore though.]

UPDATED July 16, 2009: It was bound to happen. The service has declined dramatically, especially on the NY to DC route. They no longer observe group seating so people now make a mad dash to the door when they see the bus. The woman who works on weekends in NY is too rude to work in customer service. The DC to NY route, however, to Boltbus' credit, is still good. The service is nice and the group seating is observed.