Rebranding The Bus For Long-Distance Travel

treehugger.com:

With their cushiony seats, TV screens, snack service, and full-service rest stops, Turkish buses are not only more civilized than many foreigners may expect, they put the dingy old Greyhounds I remember from my college days to shame. But it seems like bus companies in the United States may be finally catching up.

Read the whole story: treehugger.com

Comments

[quindy]

08:18 PM on 10/06/2010

We are finally catching up to Turkey! Well done US.

[Blow In]

07:19 AM on 10/05/2010

I've ridden The Dog many times and for long distances. It sucks, but is usually very interesting. Everybody on a long haul bus has something in common. That is the shared misery of being crammed into a small space for hours and hours.

Any aspiring writer out there should take the bus from Florida to Seattle. They will get several books worth of material about what it is like being a member of the American underclass.

[zula dawn]

01:32 AM on 10/05/2010

took greyhound once, with a friend of mine from college. she had the bright idea of travelling from boston to LA on the bus. we lasted a grand total of 10 hours. it was smelly, no air, and the man behind us was mumbling that the aliens were going to find him. as soon as we could, we got off that bus, went to the nearest airport and bought two tickets to LA. once we got on that plane, we were both sooooo happpy.

[realitytrumpsbull]

07:27 AM on 10/05/2010

Did the aliens ever find the guy?

[PAposter]

07:41 AM on 10/05/2010

Yeah, riding the bus is not for puzzies!

[SilentSolidarity]

11:31 PM on 10/04/2010

Why is it that Greyhound has a 30 year old fleet while Western European bus companies always offer brandnew buses? I'd rather go by foot or spend twice the time in an Amtrak train, than take a Greyhound.

[realitytrumpsbull]

07:29 AM on 10/05/2010

That's easy. The fleet costs a lot to operate. Mechanics don't work for peanuts. For further details, you're probably going to have to write to Greyhound, and ask for a financial statement. A bus company is like any other company, they have to manage costs, make sure people aren't skimming the till, and then of course they have to feed all those dogs. Big engines are thirsty, and tires aren't free.

[quindy]

08:20 PM on 10/06/2010

But, Europeans can do it, and US cannot. We are catching up to Turkey. Doesn't that worry you?

[PAposter]

07:45 AM on 10/05/2010

Because in order for the company to be profitable...there by allowing for upgrades, you need to be operating in a country where people look at riding the bus as a cost effective way too travel, and not as if they are slumming. If more people rode the bus on a regular basis, the buses would be upgraded at a faster pace.

[Edward Standley]

09:32 PM on 10/04/2010

Took Greyhound ONCE. Wanted to hang myself halfway into a 20 hr. trip. If it were more like the Turkish bus service, would be much more apt to use again.

[SilentSolidarity]

11:30 PM on 10/04/2010

LOLOL

[robsolo]

06:43 PM on 10/04/2010

In Taiwan most buses have only one seat on each side of the aisle, each seat also reclines fully (just about) and has its own tv. They're also WAY cheaper than any Greyhound fare.

[Blow In]

07:13 AM on 10/05/2010

Having a seat to yourself is a major deal when riding a bus. I don't think bus designers ever ride on buses.

[realitytrumpsbull]

07:30 AM on 10/05/2010

While they're at it, making passenger seats more tolerable for 20 hour(!???!) bus trips, they can talk to those 'efficiency seating' people that work for the airlines.