With a proven record of low-cost express service between major North American cities, megabus.com leads the pack with its cutting-edge safety initiatives.
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by megabus.com, but the text and opinions are all mine.
As a travel writer, I try to keep up with the latest travel trends, especially as they relate to road travel, budget, and safety. In the years since their North American debut in 2006, megabus.com has been creating a buzz on all three fronts.
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Megabus.com
Megabus.com on Budget
Providing service now to more than 120 major cities in the US and Canada, megabus.com has become a leader in providing city-to-city express coach service with fares as low as $1.
Yes, you heard me right!
One dollar fares . . . plus one of those pesky reservation fees, that is. Even so, you can’t beat these prices!
Megabus.com on Safety
Within the past decade, megabus.com has implemented multiple initiatives to ensure the safety of their passengers, including:
- the highest safety compliance rating with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
- ongoing leadership in safety among double-decker buses.
- $1.5M invested in a central support system to monitor all bus activities in real time with 24/7 staff support.
- SmartTire alert system, speeding alerts, and real time GPS tracking. The GPS tracking system allows megabus.com to identify low bridges and automatically lower suspension when going through planned routes with low clearance, such as the Lincoln Tunnel.
- seat belts in all buses since 2007, which is not currently a federal requirement.
- a policy requiring two drivers onboard between midnight and 5:00 AM. Drivers are required to take nine hours off between shifts, instead of the required eight hours.
- GreenRoad Eco-Driving Technology gives drivers the information, tools, and motivation they need to drive safer. The system detects risky maneuvers and warns drivers so they can self-correct in real time. GreenRoad analyzes more than 150 maneuvers, across five categories: acceleration, braking, lane-changing, cornering, and speeding. At the management level, powerful analytic tools let megabus.com identify potentially hazardous areas and problematic trends before they lead to serious incidents.
Distracted Driving Awareness Month
At Backroad Planet, there is nothing we love more than hitting the highway with a fresh destination in mind. But we don’t always love the behaviors of other drivers. Speeding drivers that tailgate, weaving in and out of traffic as if the highway belongs to them annoy me the most!
The number one cause of car accidents, however, is not speeding, but rather distracted driving. Distracted driving includes texting, smoking, eating, rubbernecking, tending to children, or any other activity that takes a driver’s eyes off the road, hands off the wheel, or mind off the act of operating a motor vehicle.
The month of April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and megabus.com is combatting distracted driving by offering a safe, budget-friendly alternative to driving your own vehicle.
The Megabus.com Alternative
![wifi_power-outlets_megabus[0]](https://www.backroadplanet.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/wifi_power-outlets_megabus0.jpg "Megabus.com: A Safe & Cost-Effective Road Trip Alternative 5")
Celebrating their tenth anniversary as a major force in the North American transportation industry, megabus.com offers you a dual-benefit road travel alternative: safety from distracted drivers on the highways AND the freedom to be as distracted as you like while on the road. As a megabus.com passenger you can read and snack, talk freely with family and fellow passengers, or catch up on social media, emails, and movies on your mobile devices by taking advantage of onboard power outlets and complimentary WiFi.
Express motor coach travel on megabus.com is the perfect option for weekend getaways, traveling to sporting events, and visiting family out of town. So, click the route map below and get started planning your road trip with a safe, worry-free alternative that is easy on the wallet!
Map It!
We Would Love to Hear From You
Jerry and I enjoy dialogue with our readers, especially when they share budget road travel and safety tips. Have you ever traveled with megabus.com? If so, we would love to hear about your experience. We invite you to leave your comments and questions below, and we always respond!
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Helpful Links
Distracted Driving Awareness Month
GreenRoad Eco-Driving Technology
Wait for it… I’ve even taken MEGABUS GOLD! It had beds in it and safely got me from Edinburgh to London overnight for cheep as chips!!
Now that sounds like my kind of coach travel!
Love the continuous innovation of transportation all over the world! I also did something like this in Peru and I really like how it works. I am planning to visit North America soon! Adding this to my list of resources. Thanks for sharing, Howard!
How cool that there are similar options coming available around the globe, Trisha! Hopefully our paths will cross when you travel our way.
I’ve heard great things about Megabus and have been meaning to give them a try. Great to hear about all their safety standards. I’m looking at an East Coast road trip and maybe I should look at them instead of the train. Thanks!
Am going to see about something for this summer. I like the idea of wifi but think more people should be looking at the places they are traveling through. I guess it i. mostly highway but still—look up from your phone for just a minute.
I agree totally, Peggy! Still, the WiFi is great for people like travel writers who need to get work done along the way.
I remember when Megabus launched in the UK with £1 fares – we were all so excited and we are a nation used to cheap travel. So for Canada where flights and trains are seriously expensive this is an absolute godsend.
Good to hear from someone who has had a similar experience with megabus on the other side of the Pond, Jaillan! I think they may be the Ryanair of the highways.
My sister took Megabus from DC to New York and raved about it. She got a great deal and a comfortable ride, it’s definitely a good option for getting in between major cities.
Glad your sister had a great experience, Brianna! I think megabus would be perfect between major cities in the Northeast.
$1 fares and wifi, hmm I would definitely give this a try.
I know that’s right!
I’ve seen these on the road recently and reading that they’ve been around for 10 years it surprises me I haven’t seen them before. It’s great to see all your readers positive experiences with them and I’m curious to check them out. I love a good road trip, but I think the kids and I would love the wifi even more!
I’m with you, Tonya. I have seen the occasional megabus, but did not know anything about them until recently. The overwhelming majority of readers here and on other posts have had wonderful experiences.
Thanks for the overview on Megabus. I haven’t tried it yet but the $1 fares sound intriguing. And I love that there’s Wi-Fi and power outlets. I might have to try them out.
Excellent, Debra!
I was only recently introduced to Mega Bus in the UK – i never even heard of them before. I think they are much cheaper in the States than in the UK – but i’ve heard of many people taking them to travel across Europe cheaply! Definitely a fantastic way to safe money! Thanks for bringing it back to my attention again.
I can imagine that they would be economical in the UK, perhaps like Ryanair.
I have been wanting to do a Big Red Bus trip for awhile now, just trying to squeeze it in. (it is actually on my 50 before 50 post). 😉 I love that they offer free WIFI so I could just sit and relax and enjoy social media along the way, a real treat for the usual driver. 😉
Big Red Bus?
That sounds amazing, they should set up in Hawaii and they would get instant business, but since gas prices are extremely expensive here, I don’t think that model would survive. Nice review of the services and free wifi, yeeeees!
You never can tell, Noel! MB started in Europe and expanded to the continental US. 🙂
I’ve taken close to 100 Megabus trips in the last five years. Never had a problem. I’ve taken short trips to Philly from Harrisburg and extended journeys to San Antonio and Fort Lauderdale. Rarely do I pay more than $1 per segment. By being on their website the day they add dates, that’s how you score the dollar fares. Read Facebook’s Megabus page..overwhelmingly negative. Isolated incidents,but that’s all you read.
I think your excellent experience with megabus.com speaks volumes, Rick. Any transportation provider can occasionally trop the ball, but it’s the norm that matters.
I’ve not taken Megabus Howard but relish busing anywhere in the US. Or anywhere outside of SE Asia or Central America, where drivers take hair pin, blind curves at 20 MPH and each ride is a life-death adventure, it seems 😉 Good for that safety record. Will check MB out if/when I travel more State-side.
Ryan
Yeah, I can relate to the life and death experiences, Ryan, except my bus experiences were in Latin America. Fortunately, megabus.com has en excellent safety record.
I used to take the Mega bus from uni because it was so cheap! Excellent that they have wifi and outlets now, thats an upgrade! woo
Yeah, it’s hard to beat their low fares, Kimberly! Word on the WiFi!
My family has used them before, and had nothing but great things to say. Thanks for raising awareness of this alternative.
I am glad positive experiences seem to be the consensus, Scott!
Don’t do ut unless you are desperare! Unreliable service
Sorry you had a bad experience, Angela!
I had not heard of them but I’m definitely going to try them next time I head to Miami to visit friends. It’s very affordable and the free wifi is huge!
I know, right? Definitely a bargain and convenient so we can get work done there and back.
Great post! I had not heard of them. Love the free Wifi and power outlets!
I agree totally, Jennifer! Give me WiFi and a power outlet, and I’m good to go.
What a great idea for the person who wants to travel more but is on a budget. Just pack your bag and hop on!
Not only is she beautiful inside and out, she sings with a voice like an angel and always supports Backroad Planet! Yeah, I’m talking about you, Brettina!
I’ve been thinking this would be a great way to travel from Orlando to Miami if picking up a cruise in Miami. Haven’t had the opportunity yet but will definitely consider when the time comes.
Great idea, Susan! They may have something similar from Tampa to Miami. We love budget travel!
I love Megabus I have traveled with them in Europe. Happy to know they operate in the US as well.
Yes, Chrysoula, they started in Europe, but they are celebrating their tenth anniversary in the US and Canada this year!
My twins love Mega bus when traveling between cities in the East Coast. I haven’t tried it yet, but should…
Dana, someone just commented on my Instagram post that she regularly gets $5 fares from Boston to NYC.