Bus travel - reassure me this is safe

[Minnie824]

My parents are planning a trip to new york city this summer. My mom went to school there 40 years ago (they're in their 60s) and they're just going for a 5 day trip. So, they're looking into flights, which of course are expensive, and now are thinking of taking a greyhound bus 20 hours from Chicago to New York City. I have never travelled via bus, so I'm not familiar with it. Please reassure me this is safe and I don't have to worry about them being mugged or losing their luggage or whatever. I'm constantly checking flights to find them an inexpensive fare but I'd like some experiences of bus travels to reassure me (or not!) just in case. Thanks.

 

[Darcy03231]

Sorry, I can't reassure you. There is no way I would take a Greyhound bus anywhere. My ex took one about 15 years ago from NH to LA. He's 6'4" and, at the time in his mid 20's. He swore he'd never do it again he felt so unsafe. There were people in the back of the bus shooting heroin and the lowest of the low on board. He rented a car and drove home.

 

[legalsea]

My parents are planning a trip to new york city this summer. My mom went to school there 40 years ago (they're in their 60s) and they're just going for a 5 day trip. So, they're looking into flights, which of course are expensive, and now are thinking of taking a greyhound bus 20 hours from Chicago to New York City. I have never travelled via bus, so I'm not familiar with it. Please reassure me this is safe and I don't have to worry about them being mugged or losing their luggage or whatever. I'm constantly checking flights to find them an inexpensive fare but I'd like some experiences of bus travels to reassure me (or not!) just in case. Thanks.

I cannot help about the bus, since it has been decades since I was on a Greyhound.

However, check into the Amtrak fares; I believe they are inexpensive between Chicago and New York.

 

[CanadianImagineer]

If I were you I might read up on the story about a man beheading another passenger on a Greyhound in Manitoba, Canada.

 

[RitaE]

Well, if it were me I'd buy my Mom a plane ticket before I'd let her do that.

 

[Minnie824]

Thanks for all the input so far. I keep explaining that its not safe and they're not allowed to go. haha. They seem to think it is, but there is no way I want them traveling this way. Keep the stories and input coming...more to help convince them. If it comes down to it, DH & I will end up paying for their flights.

 

[c4a]

It is like any mode of transportation...yes, there are horror stories. If possible, get a bus leaving in the am (before 9am) and with an arrival time of early afternoon. They need seats in the front section of the bus, near the driver...but not directly behind him...3 or 4 seats back.

If it were my parents, I'd either buy the ticket or Amtrack.

 

[c4a]

We were posting at the same time & did't realize you were wanting to disuade them. I didn't post the reason for the seat preference because I didn't want to scare you further. Many times, the driver's work very long shifts and accidents have been known to happen...simply, because the fell asleep at the wheel. In case of an accident, sitting in the seat directly behind the driver is one of the most dangerous seats on the bus. A quick google search should pull up all kinds of articles on bus accidents due to driver falling asleep at wheel, drunk, or high.

Please know that though things happen, this is in no way a slam against the driver's -many very competant who work their backsides off.

As for luggage lost-unlike airlines, I have never had a single bag lost when traveling by bus.

Amtrak was wonderful!!The couch in the "room" pulled out into a bed at night, and was put back into a couch in the morning. Food in the dining car was amazing. Had privacy & felt completely safe.

 

[TinklednPants]

20 hours!!! What does it stop every four blocks? I'd be tempted to walk.

 

[Minnesota!]

I would have no issue with it - I would just be with them at the bus stop to see them off (the ones around here are a little um...ghetto). My mom takes it to/from here/her home.

However, if you can get a good fare on Amtrak...I would do that. I have travelled Amtrak many times and LOVE it! Its actually cheaper for me to do that then bus...

 

[tinkntraining]

Put me in the group, "no Greyhound, no way".....
As a college student years ago, I sometimes had to resort to a bus ride home if I couldn't get into a carpool for the weekend. My last trip was truly my last trip. While sitting on the bus, I vowed if I made it to the bus station safely, I would never, ever ride another Greyhound.

I was seated in the middle of the bus (thought the middle was safe). Seated diagonally across from me, there was a man who could have been filming a porn all by himself...if you know what I mean. I moved up, two seats behind the driver, and the man who had the matter in "his own hands" followed me around the bus....always sitting in a seat that was directly in my line of vision. It was obvious he was getting great satisfaction from my discomfort. Finally, I just looked out the window and prayed.

Never again. There's a reason why bus tickets are so cheap. Please, please, please convince your parents to fly!

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

I wouldn't take a Greyhound Bus if you paid me by the mile...sorry.

 

[cteddiesgirl]

I haven't ridden a bus in several years. Since the early-mid 90's. But I felt perfectly safe riding the bus then.

It's no different than riding any other form of public transportation. Although poorer people do tend to use the bus more often than flying. Heck. I hear more about problems and accidents involving planes than I do about busses.

Oh. I was also only about 18-24 at the time and I'm only 4'7".

 

[kgle]

I have ridden Greyhound from Indianapolis to South Carolina and back, and Ft Lauderdale to Indianapolis. While I HATED it because it was so uncomfortable for such a long drive and would never take it again, I never felt unsafe. I was also 18 & 20 respectively. For a young woman traveling by herself, I never felt like I was in any danger or anything like that. It was just a long long trip. I much prefer Amtrak to Greyhound, but their fares are usually much higher (although it could be because Indianapolis only has buses that go to Cinci and Chicago).

 

[Dr.Bombay]

I cannot help about the bus, since it has been decades since I was on a Greyhound.

I took a Greyhound from New York to LA back in the 70's. I guess being 20 years old helped a lot because I managed to have a great time. lol. Looking back on it though and being older and wiser, I would never do it again. I would definitely do Amtrak before the bus.

 

[apirateslifeforme]

Well...last summer my cousin from Chicago came out to visit, and we took a bus from Springfield, MA to Boston. First of all, though, it was Peter Pan Bus, and second it was only a 2-hour drive...

Neither of us were comfortable in the Springfield bus station...we kept looking around and were kind of hyper-vigilant. But the bus ride itself and the South Street Station in Boston were fine.

Like I said, though, different bus line and a much shorter trip!

 

[My2Cinderellas]

20 hours!!! What does it stop every four blocks?

pretty much. I've had 2 experiences with greyhound, both back in the '80s. Cheap broke college students take the bus, but only as a last resort. It's a 2 hour drive at 55mph (told you it was a long time ago...) from Iowa City to Des Moines. The bus trip takes almost 4 hours. There is an hour break at a truck stop in between, for the cross country passengers. plus a couple other stops. and the clientele was not too spiffy. I didn't feel unsafe, but definitely was on my guard. The only seat available was next to someone who reeked of smoke, in fact she chain smoked the entire trip, despite the "no smoking" policy.

Amtrak is a better choice if flying is not an option. it takes just as long (20 hours each way) but you have more room to spread out. They do offer a senior discount. But the best way to do Amtrak is with a private room, which includes meals. But this really adds to the price.

 

[NotUrsula]

Generally buses are safe enough for short trips, as from a major city to a small town an hour or so away, but long-distance routes between major cities are a different matter. Greyhound has been attracting problem patrons for about 25 years now; in the old days before the merger it was a given that taking Trailways was the safer option.

Amtrak will be a much better choice for them on that route, if they want to do the overnight train. It will cost about $400 r/t with a senior fare. With either ground option a huge part of their five days will be spent just going there and back.

Honestly, the best thing for you to do would be to sign up for sale notifications from the low-cost carrier airlines and grab them a sale fare. Chicago-NYC is a competitive route; there are sales all the time. As long as they don't try to travel over a holiday they should be fine; travelling on Tues, Wed or Sat is probably going to get them the best fare. The best deals will probably show up 7-10 weeks before their travel date.

 

[My2Cinderellas]

I did a quick search, lots of airline tickets in June for about $230 round trip. That doesn't seem bad to me.

Another worry will be hotel costs, unless they are staying with friends/family - the hotel room for 5 nights will be the largest chunk of the budget.

 

[bumbershoot]

If they don't want to fly, I would take Amtrak. 10% AAA discount if you book a couple weeks (or more) ahead of time.

I was seated in the middle of the bus (thought the middle was safe). Seated diagonally across from me, there was a man who could have been filming a porn all by himself...if you know what I mean. I moved up, two seats behind the driver, and the man who had the matter in "his own hands" followed me around the bus....always sitting in a seat that was directly in my line of vision. It was obvious he was getting great satisfaction from my discomfort. Finally, I just looked out the window and prayed.

I don't see "and then I went and told the bus driver" in your story. Why not?????

I took a Greyhound from New York to LA back in the 70's. I guess being 20 years old helped a lot because I managed to have a great time. lol. Looking back on it though and being older and wiser, I would never do it again. I would definitely do Amtrak before the bus.

Back then it was Union. Now it's not.

My dad was a bus driver for Greyhound when it was Union. Now I'm not the biggest Union fan, but Greyhound has fallen to pieces since they dropped the union.

Back then, my dad would put drunks off the bus. Not at a station. He'd pull over to the side of the highway, get their bags and leave them there. He put up with NOTHING. He was and is an excellent driver, and his co-workers were, too in their spiffy pressed uniforms. Dad actually met my stepmom at Greyhound...she worked at the ticket counter, awwww.

So in the 70s and 80s they were great, but then they fell apart. Dad and dependents still get free trips, and the last time I took Dad up on that was after college graduation when my car (that I was going to drive across the country) died dramatically...took the bus from Seattle to Denver...longest 36 hours of my life. Miserable miserable trip, no sleep, weird twilight feeling the whole trip...I got off that bus in Denver and all the specific memories dropped out of my brain, never to be remembered again. I visited my friend there, and had my dad book me a plane ticket out to SC...I wasn't getting on that bus again.



But seriously, if there's a bad situation, at the very minimum bring it to the attention of the driver! They might care! They might DO something about it. And if they don't, well gosh, I might call the police myself.

I was in my dad's bus when he got pulled over for speeding...cops will pull over buses (my dad blamed it on me and my brother...he was "deadheading", meaning taking an EMPTY bus back to the originating station, and we were being a bit silly and he said we distracted him...he didn't get a ticket), and just b/c you're in a bus doesn't suddenly mean that shooting up heroin or public indecency isn't illegal!!!