Get on the bus

The average college student seeks balance between fun and finance. Sometimes though, we all need a trip away from campus. Whether it’s yearning for familiarity from friends and family back home or planning a leisure weekend out of town, the cheapest way is always the best way when it comes to traveling.

In recent years, competition has surged against the Greyhound bus company and New Jersey transit. Various coach bus companies have sprouted out of Chinatown neighborhoods located in New York, Philadelphia, Maryland, Washington, D.C. and Boston. East Coast travelers have options!

Some students have learned that customer service is not always a priority for the business minded individuals who run the buses and frequently speak English as their second language.

“There is [no customer service]. They don’t speak to you,” said Tracey Harriette, a loyal Chinatown bus customer and junior. “I’ve seen them try to leave people. To them, it’s just a business to generate revenue.”

When it comes to customer service, NJ Transit, SEPTA and Greyhound aren’t much better, according to students.
“I come in contact with a lot of rude conductors,” said senior and three-year commuter Brielle Williams.
The orderly tradition of lining up to board a departing bus is non-existent with the “Chinese bus” companies.

“You have to get in where you fit in and it’s a mob of people trying to get on the bus,” said junior Shayna Hood, who rides Chinese buses for their faster traveling time.

Chinatown buses in Philadelphia have operated for the past eight years. Publicity about the cheap form of transportation spreads by word of mouth. Most students interviewed said they learned about the Chinatown buses from family and friends who had used the line already. Facebook has also become a tool of its own with the group “How You Getting’ Home … Chinatown Express!”

It’s important to note that the Chinatown bus lines, New Century Travel, Apex Bus, Today’s Bus, Dragon Coach, Washington Deluxe, Vamoose Bus, Fung Wah, Boston Deluxe and Lucky Star are all separate entities. To avoid confusion with other lines, The Vamoose bus company even states on its Web site that it is “Not affiliated in any way with Washington Deluxe Bus Company.”

The arrival and departure location for all Chinatown bus lines to New York is located on the street at the intersection of Forsyth and 88 E. Broadway. In Philadelphia, riders to New York have their choice of two Chinatown lines.

New Century Travel is located at 55 N 11th St. while Apex Bus and Today’s Bus is located at 121 N 11th St. The arrival and departure area for all Chinatown bus lines in D.C. is located at 513 H. St. NW with the exception of Washington Deluxe and Vamoose bus companies, which don’t stop in Philadelphia.

New Century Travel and Apex Bus offer the most stops along the East Coast, offering transportation from New York City to as far south as Atlanta, GA.

Getting there
New Century Travel
www.2000coach.com
Philadelphia to New York City: $20 roundtrip

Apex Bus
www.apexbus.com
Philadelphia to New York City: $20 roundtrip

Today’s Bus
www.today-bus.com
Philadelphia to New York City: $20 roundtrip

Vamoose Bus
www.vamoosebus.com
New York City to Washington, D.C.: $40 roundtrip

Washington Deluxe
www.washny.com
New York City to Washington, D.C.: $35 roundtrip

Dragon Coach
www.gotobus.com/dragoncoach
New York City to Washington, D.C.: $35 roundtrip

Lucky Star
www.luckystarbus.com
New York to Boston: $30 roundtrip

Boston Deluxe
www.bostondeluxe.com
New York to Boston: $30 roundtrip

Fung Wah
www.fungwahbus.com
New York to Boston: $30 roundtrip

Such an exhaustive list proves that the new Chinatown bus phenomenon has set the standard at a new level in cheap ground travel deals. With Chinatown bus companies slashing prices, it’s obvious Greyhound is feeling the pressure In recent months, $14 one way tickets to and from Philadelphia and New York are available via internet purchases.
NJ Transit only offers service to New York for a cost of $19.50 round trip. SEPTA offers travel as far as Trenton, NJ for $7 on the R3 regional rail train from Philadelphia. Limitations come into play in the event of an accident and only one track.

Sherice Brammer can be reached at recee411@temple.edu.