As Chinatown bus services find new ways to cut into Greyhound’s bottom line (and the travel war continues to rage), one thing is becoming increasingly clear: the discount service is being overrun by a less savvy and adventurous type of traveler. I know, because I’m in the middle of it.
I left work an hour ago and arrived 20 minutes early for a 2pm bus. I went to the location as instructed, asked if I was in the right spot, and listened carefully as the ticket agents issued instructions. Now, here I am: on as bus every bit as good as Greyhound wandering the internet on free wi-fi while I stretch my legs in an extended seat. And the walk-up price to DC was only 20 bones! So why have I heard nothing but complaints all afternoon? After the jump, a list of the culprits and what these noobs don’t seem to know.
1. The Guy that Shouldn’t be on Any Bus: While I’d take the Chinatown bus sometimes-frantic curb pick-up over the grime and glut of Port Authority any day, there’s always someone who doesn’t seem to understand that price and quality aren’t necessarily intertwined. “There’s no leg room!” ‘Does this driver know what he’s doing?” Why’s everyone pushing to get on the bus?” Stop acting incredulous. This is what riding a bus, any bus is all about.
2. The Constant Complainer: “Why’s it taking so long” is the adult equivalent of “Mom, are we there yet?” A driver can only go as fast as traffic allows, and yelling at him only slows everything up. Maybe they think more expensive bus lines are equipped with wings?
3. Mr. Out of His Element: This guy would be fine if he’d just go with the flow. But, instead of quietly wait and watch, he’s decided the whole scene is “insane.” As such he’s psyched himself out. His solution: walk around and worry out loud. Not only is it annoying, but he makes it harder to hear when the call actually goes out. Of course, everything goes smoothly, the bus is on time, and he pushes to the front without a problem. That doesn’t stop him from “I’m never doing this again.” Please don’t.
Comments (11)
dude, bolt bus all the way. however, i found out last weekend when i took greyhound (bolt was sold out) — they totally upgraded some of their buses. i had wi-fi and legroom, too! lesson learned: when bus companies compete, we win.
i HATE the chinatown buses just b/c it invariably takes at least an hour to get out of the city, since you've got to go across town to the tunnels. in fact, the last time i tried to take one, this happened (no, i don't normally repost my own blog entries in comment sections, thankyouverymuch. but this seemed pertinent, so):
The BF and I boarded a bus in Chinatown with high spirits and the best of intentions: to visit Chelsea and Rob in DC. It was raining, but we were early and got good seats. In fact, the bus was virtually empty, save for a few other adult couples and a college student in headphones. Then, at 4pm, our scheduled departure time, approximately 30 soaking wet and sweaty 11th graders storm onto the bus. They are loud. They are smelly. They are obnoxious. (Seriously, girlie, I don't give a fuck how many "airport" stories you have, whether or not there's any granola left, or how much Arabic hip-hop you have on your iPod.) The A/C doesn't function for the first half hour of the trip, which, distance-wise, is only about 4 blocks. Halfway to the Holland Tunnel, Alex and I make an executive decision to break into Chelsea's housewarming gift, a bottle of Absinthe, courtesy of Flavorpill. Desperate times call for drunken measures. In rush-hour traffic, it takes us an hour to reach the Tunnel, but at least now the ride is almost bearable. 15 minutes into New Jersey, and we're hammered. But hey, no problem, right? We have 4.5 more hours to sober up, right? Wrong. The bus breaks down on an incline in the second lane of the New Jersey turnpike. We hadn't even reached Ikea. So now, we are drunk on the side of the NJ turnpike, in the rain, just short of Elizabeth. 90 bucks gets us a cab back into Manhattan, where we vow to never, ever get on a Chinatown bus again.
I'ok, so you are a combo of 1 and 3. get with it girl. a breakdown can happen to any bus and anyone can end up on a lemon. I have stories about greyhound that are way worse.
You don't have to ride the Chinatown buses…there are plenty of other buses that offer wifi and power outlets and nicer drivers.
I love Bolt Bus. But tonight, I'm going with the more sketch Chinatown buses for my trip to Philly
This is awesome – and yes there are all kind of cheap buses around but check this out – my new job is in Philly – I take the L Train to 14th St. ($2.00) then a cab to Chinatown ($6.00) Do you know how much I paid online in advance for my bus tickets all the way to PA – $10!
of course breakdowns can happen to anyone. the entire "trip" was awful and definitely soured us to the chinatown buses, but the uniquely sucky part was the starting point, and negotiating that w/ cross-town traffic. i couldn't avoid leaving during rush hour, and getting picked up on east bway meant stop-n-go for an hour across town. bolt picks you up on 6th ave, just a couple blocks from the tunnel, so even in rush hour, it won't take an hour to leave the city.
also, andy: i think the first part of my comment proved that i am a perfectly hospitable and enthusiastic bus-rider under most circumstances, and indeed with other bus lines. so i have to take issue w/ your #1 & #3 comment, just a little ;)
i hear what you're saying, but i think the problem is people generalize about the buses. there are upwards of 15 different companies operating out of the NYC chinatown. You wouldn't go to hardees, have a terrible time, and tlak shit on Wendy's would you? I think, at the end of the day, the chinatown-specific complaints above could be taken care of with about 10 minutes of research. As to the busy ambiance… some busy streets against the insanity and smelliness of Port Authority? Puhleeze.
dude, i didn't say anything about the busy ambiance of chinatown streets (are you generalizing commenters now?). but, if there are "chinatown" buses that depart from points other than on the east side of lower manhattan (aka chinatown), then hells yeah i'd give 'em a try. but my research led me to a different company, on the west side. just worked for me. actually, i really don't want to demean your experience — or anyone else's — aboard a chinatown bus. my personal trip was a nightmare.
and that's all i have to say about this. you might be on a bus right now, but i'm still at work!! :)
ps hardees blows.
Hardees is better than Arby's tho. Roast Beef with Cheese Sauce, gross.
threadjack! i don't eat meat any more, but dude, the classic rb sammiches were fucking awesome. ARBY'S 4 EVAH.
Sometimes the Chinatown Bus is the best way to go. GotoBus has lots of bus options depending on what you are looking for.
Post a new comment