MONTGOMERY, AL (WSFA) -
An old form of travel is making a big comeback. Across the country, and here in Alabama, bus companies are now competing for a share of the mainstream travel market among trains and planes.
Smarttravel.com recently highlighted Megabus and Greyhound as two companies who have set the stride for this comeback, and both companies come through Montgomery.
Clay Ingram with AAA Alabama says that bus travel "is spreading and they're kind of taking a page out of the European travel book, because busses are very popular all over Europe. People use them for transportation everyday over there. Not just on a local basis, but traveling from country to country over there like we would travel from state to state over here. So it's definitely just kind of getting its foothold in its resurgence, but I think that we're going to see that happen."
Bus operators are experiencing a big growth in the numbers of travelers they are seeing. Travel experts say that one reason is price. It's often much less than airfare, and if you're traveling a relatively short distance, you save time on things like checking in and going through security, which helps offsets the faster air travel time
Ingram explains, "even compared to flying or Amtrack or some of these other modes of transportation, a lot of time those busses will get there quicker despite some of their stops, especially if you add the airport delays like getting there early, checking in, going through security and sitting at the gate for a period of time, then having to wait on your luggage after you get there. All that time adds up. In a lot of cases it might be quicker actually, to hop on a bus and get there and hop off. So it definitely has its advantages."
AAA Alabama notes that for the first time in several years, people are considering bus travel over more traditional options. Along with price, experts also note that travelers are attracted to the improved busses with modern amenities like WIFI, power outlets, double decker spaces, large on-board restrooms and faster schedules.
Ingram says, "the busses now are modern and upscale...it's a comfortable way to travel now. They don't make as many stops as they used to; they move a little quicker, everything's a little more streamlined and it's still very affordable compared to other modes of transportation. The busses are on their way back, no question."
Megabus started making trips to and from Montgomery late last year. Fares always start as low as a dollar and increase as the traveling date gets closer.
Greyhound has rebranded some of its basic busses as Greyhound Express. Unlike Megabus, Greyhound Express promotes longer trips, often with connections, and operates from a combination of regional hubs.
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