Awesome!!

http://us.megabus.com/Megabus%20expands%20service%20tofrom%20Dallas%20Ho uston%20San%20Antonio%20and%20five%20cities.aspx


(May 31, 2012) – Megabus.com, the first city-to-city, express bus company with fares from $1, announced today its expansion to Texas and the southern United States. Dallas, TX; Houston, TX; and San Antonio, TX residents can now travel to five cities: Austin, TX; Norman, Okla.; Memphis, Tenn.; Little Rock, Ark.; and New Orleans, La., for as low as $1.

Service will begin June 19, and customers can begin booking travel today at www.megabus.com.

Fares always start as low as $1 and get higher as the traveling date gets closer. Customers are encouraged to book early to secure $1 fares.

"Megabus.com has rapidly become the travel option of choice for millions of people and today we’re excited to bring our unique travel option to Texas and the southern United States,” said Dale Moser, president and COO of megabus.com. “As Americans continue to look for ways to stretch their income, we look forward to providing safe, convenient and affordable travel to the millions of residents in the South.”

During the first week of sales all tickets will be no more than $1 - including 10,000 free seats. Megabus.com will also provide additional $1 fares during the following weeks. The free and $1 seats will be available on megabus.com for departures to and from Dallas and the expansion cities (subject to availability on select dates, routes).

For now, it looks like service to Dallas only, but its a perfect option for day-trippers.

I got to ride Megabus last fall between Philly and NYC. $25 roundtrip, can't beat that. The tolls between Philly and Manhattan are $30 alone. Very comfortable ride, nothing like Greyhound. The pickup will be at Lloyd Noble and drops off at Elm and Olive in Downtown Dallas, which is 3 blocks from the Pearl Street DART station. I think this will be very successful!

Awesome!!

http://us.megabus.com/Megabus%20expands%20service%20tofrom%20Dallas%20Ho uston%20San%20Antonio%20and%20five%20cities.aspx



For now, it looks like service to Dallas only, but its a perfect option for day-trippers.

I got to ride Megabus last fall between Philly and NYC. $25 roundtrip, can't beat that. The tolls between Philly and Manhattan are $30 alone. Very comfortable ride, nothing like Greyhound. The pickup will be at Lloyd Noble and drops off at Elm and Olive in Downtown Dallas, which is 3 blocks from the Pearl Street DART station. I think this will be very successful!

That sounds like a great deal. I hate driving to/in Dallas, so this might be a great option.

Perhaps they'll add OKC when the new bus station is sorted out.

This will be great if it’s anywhere near a dart train station?

In a few years you could take the bus to Dallas and catch a ride on the train to the DFW Airport and save a bundle on air fare and not need to worry about car parking fees.

I like this concept a lot…..

It drops you off in downtown Dallas, so DART would be close by.

I just looked and it’s about 3 to 4 blocks away from the DART Pearl Station
There are 3 Norman arrival and departure times. That helps a bunch!
This will go over better than Amtrak and it should be a hit with many OU students.

I am really excited about this. I have been wanting to visit some friends in Austin sometime this summer, and after browsing the website, I think I will pull the trigger. With their introductory fares, it will cost around 5 bucks round trip, and does not increase travel time by a significant margin. I have been hearing about Megabus from family on the East Coast for years, can't wait to try it for myself.

Haven't used it personally but have family that has back north. They really like it especially for quick trips over to Chicago. Should be a big hit for the Norman crowd.

Nice option. So where all can you go from the DART station if you did a Dallas day trip? This would be great for a San Antonio trip as well... what could you do about ground transportation once you got there? Wonder if it's near a rental car location or anything?

Nice option. So where all can you go from the DART station if you did a Dallas day trip? This would be great for a San Antonio trip as well... what could you do about ground transportation once you got there? Wonder if it's near a rental car location or anything?

I imagine taxi service is available in all locations that are served.

Nice option. So where all can you go from the DART station if you did a Dallas day trip? This would be great for a San Antonio trip as well... what could you do about ground transportation once you got there? Wonder if it's near a rental car location or anything?

Since its near the Pear Street DART Station (which is served by the Orange, Green and Red Lines), you can go to Fair Park, obviously anywhere in downtown, up to Richardson and Plano, and Love Field. No Galleria though, but Northpark can be accessed off the Red Line. When the Orange Line is tied to DFW in a few years, you can go to that as well. Don't think there are any rental car places in downtown but Love Field has several lots.

I think it would be better to have megabus go into the multimodal transit hub at the Santa Fe Depot rather than the new Greyhound station out at MLK and I-40.

hmmm, could slip down to D, red line to Northpark, surprise my son for dinner and come back. Sort of sounds like the beginnings of a plan.

Once the dart rail line is fully constructed to the DFW airport I would just as soon the Bus go directly to DFW.

Also there is or soon will be a new commuter rail line that will take you with several stops along the way to down town Fort Worth and beyond.

This will be great if it’s anywhere near a dart train station?

In a few years you could take the bus to Dallas and catch a ride on the train to the DFW Airport and save a bundle on air fare and not need to worry about car parking fees.

I like this concept a lot…..

Nothing against the concept at all except you normally don't save a bundle by flying from DFW. As I've mentioned in other threads I have been dealing with airfare prices every day for well over 20 years and I'm very familiar with the costs. Sometimes you can save a little on some routes from DFW but it's normally not worth the effort to get there.

Nothing against the concept at all except you normally don't save a bundle by flying from DFW. As I've mentioned in other threads I have been dealing with airfare prices every day for well over 20 years and I'm very familiar with the costs. Sometimes you can save a little on some routes from DFW but it's normally not worth the effort to get there.


I was looking at a trip to Chicago.

On the dates I wanted a round trip from DFW to ORD using expedia was $432. There were several flights.
On the same dates from OKC to ORD the best price for 2 was $791 and that was on multiple airlines and nearly a 5 hour flight time.
That’s a difference of $359. That’s a significant savings.

If I’m not in a huge hurry I’m going to fly out of DFW. I have seen similar savings on several other destinations out of DFW.

I was looking at a trip to Chicago.

On the dates I wanted a round trip from DFW to ORD using expedia was $432. There were several flights.
On the same dates from OKC to ORD the best price for 2 was $791 and that was on multiple airlines and nearly a 5 hour flight time.
That’s a difference of $359. That’s a significant savings.

If I’m not in a huge hurry I’m going to fly out of DFW. I have seen similar savings on several other destinations out of DFW.

Using Expedia is probably the biggest problem there. Since a lot of airlines will retain the lowest fares through their own websites. That OKC fare sounds like something with less than 7 days notice. Lowest advance purchase fare on someone like Southwest is $320 round trip. Yeah that would be higher than what you are mentioning, but OKC is also a very high yielding business market. However I think the main driver for that big a difference out of DFW would be Spirit. It sounds like pricing they would be able to handle while other airlines would only offer it if they were forced to match (and lose money).

Anyway, this isn't about air fares and such. It is about Megabus so moving back on topic...

I was looking at a trip to Chicago.

On the dates I wanted a round trip from DFW to ORD using expedia was $432. There were several flights.
On the same dates from OKC to ORD the best price for 2 was $791 and that was on multiple airlines and nearly a 5 hour flight time.
That’s a difference of $359. That’s a significant savings.

If I’m not in a huge hurry I’m going to fly out of DFW. I have seen similar savings on several other destinations out of DFW.
You can always find examples to support either view but, as I said, I deal with this every day and know what I'm talking about. Most of the time it's just not worth it to leave from DFW. I've even seen examples where it's less expensive for some to fly from DFW to OKC first and then back to DFW to save money.

Using Expedia is probably the biggest problem there. Since a lot of airlines will retain the lowest fares through their own websites. That OKC fare sounds like something with less than 7 days notice. Lowest advance purchase fare on someone like Southwest is $320 round trip. Yeah that would be higher than what you are mentioning, but OKC is also a very high yielding business market. However I think the main driver for that big a difference out of DFW would be Spirit. It sounds like pricing they would be able to handle while other airlines would only offer it if they were forced to match (and lose money).

Anyway, this isn't about air fares and such. It is about Megabus so moving back on topic...

The departure date for both OKC & DFW was in September.
The DFW airline wasn’t sprint. If I remember correctly it was American.
When I do fly I always check out several on line sites including the airline sites.

You can always find examples to support either view but, as I said, I deal with this every day and know what I'm talking about. Most of the time it's just not worth it to leave from DFW. I've even seen examples where it's less expensive for some to fly from DFW to OKC first and then back to DFW to save money.

I don’t fly very much at all but as I said when I do I always check out several on line sites including the airline site.
You would know better than me about these things but I know it never hurts to take advantage of significant savings when and where you can find them.

Going to the DFW airport would be a better destination for Megabus because not only could you have the potential of a cheaper flight, DFW has far many more destinations to pick from. You will also have easy access to car rentals, commuter rail and to the Dart light rail and city bus system.

But even so, I am happy to have this new service in Norman.

Going to the DFW airport would be a better destination for Megabus because not only could you have the potential of a cheaper flight, DFW has far many more destinations to pick from. You will also have easy access to car rentals, commuter rail and to the Dart light rail and city bus system.

But even so, I am happy to have this new service in Norman.

Part of the reason for the below average air service in OKC is because of the people who do drive to DFW to fly. We'd have much better air service if the people who drove to DFW would fly out of OKC. Consider it like buying local.

meh! another way to get to Dallas. Need optionss to other cities, KC, Denver, Memphis

Part of the reason for the below average air service in OKC is because of the people who do drive to DFW to fly. We'd have much better air service if the people who drove to DFW would fly out of OKC. Consider it like buying local.

I wonder what the actual leakage is, but it is probably a factor. The biggest issue with the OKC market is lack of low fare stimulation. The market is mature and Southwest has a good firm grasp on the market. This has allowed them to keep fares pretty moderate and not extremely low.

I wonder if there would be a market for a regional airline operating 50-70 passenger props to cities like Colorado Springs, Memphis, Branson, Austin, San Antonio, New Orleans, etc. RJs would be too expensive to get low fares back...say in the $49-79 one way range.

I think it would be better to have megabus go into the multimodal transit hub at the Santa Fe Depot rather than the new Greyhound station out at MLK and I-40.

This ^ Why stop at a another interstate bus station? Just look at the posts related to Dallas. Everyone wants a stop near a DART station so they can get around Dallas without a car after they get their without driving. This is how it supposed to work.

meh! another way to get to Dallas. Need optionss to other cities, KC, Denver, Memphis

Perhaps the other cities come with expansion. But to meh a 1-2 buck transfer to Dallas, that I do not really grasp. There is no other minimum budget option out there to my knowledge, except perhaps if one rides with a friend and doesn't chip in on the gas.

If a bus company can operate with such low fares, in places where congestion is not a major problem it may be worth looking at this as replacement in some cases for Amtrak.
Amtrak could save money and divert resources to improved service where big city congestion is a serious consideration.

If a bus company can operate with such low fares, in places where congestion is not a major problem it may be worth looking at this as replacement in some cases for Amtrak.
Amtrak could save money and divert resources to improved service where big city congestion is a serious consideration.

Actually, Amtrak already runs its own bus system based on the very things you said.

Actually, Amtrak already runs its own bus system.

Yes, I already knew that.

But it’s pretty clear that Amtrak trains and busses are not operated nearly as efficient.
The state of Oklahoma could help subsides this bus line and still save millions by eliminating it’s funning for the Heartland Flyer train.

Yes, I already knew that.

But it’s pretty clear that Amtrak trains and busses are not operated nearly as efficient.
The state of Oklahoma could help subsides this bus line and still save millions by eliminating it’s funning for the Heartland Flyer train.

A bus is no where near efficient as a train. It isn't even close.

A bus is no where near efficient as a train. It isn't even close.

No........This bus would be a much more efficient use of money for the state of Oklahoma and isn't even close!
Freight is a difference story.

No........This bus would be a much more efficient use of money for the state of Oklahoma and isn't even close!
Freight is a difference story.

LOL, I rarely agree with Kerry but he's right this time and wasn't referring to freight.

A bus is no where near efficient as a train. It isn't even close.

Doesn't it depend on how many passengers you are carrying and the frequency of service being provided?

LOL, I rarely agree with Kerry but he's right this time and wasn't referring to freight.

When all things are considered I’m pretty sure that Megabus can move people at a cheaper rate per mile than can Amtrak.


A set of busses cost far less than a complete train. A locomotive alone would surly cost several million. A train is much more substantial piece of equipment and its maintenance would be very costly.
How many people does Amtrak employ on a typical Train (3 or 4 I think) with their high benefits and wages compared to one bus driver per bus. Passenger trains have special equipped tracks that are costly and must be maintained. A Megabus already has preexisting roads that are going to exist regardless of the buses existence.

To offer such cheap fares and to still be expanding like they are Megabus must doing something right.
Amtrak still needs additional billions of dollars’ worth of fed government subsidies and in some cases needs some state and local funding help.
Then add that in many cases Megabus is quicker and often offers more frequent service.


Yes, I’m pretty sure that on balance Megabus is a more efficient use of money.

No one is claiming Amtrak is an efficient operator. I have long supported state based rail systems and not a federal system. The Modern Streetcar Project in OKC ran the numbers and rail is cheaper. Moving people relativly short distances in the NE is much more profitable than moving between Dallas and OKC so we will see how they do on these new routes. A single seat on a bus from OKC to Dallas could be used by 3 people between NYC and Philly. Maybe we should look at Mega-train between OKC and Tulsa.

How many people does Amtrak employ on a typical Train (3 or 4 I think) with their high benefits and wages compared to one bus driver per bus.

Hmmm. Is it possible that a train with 3 or 4 employees could carry considerably more people than three or four buses with one employee per bus? Yes, I think it could.

You have been a big proponent in the past of commuter rail between OKC and Norman. If they were running buses at a lower fare would you still be in favor of rail?

Hmmm. Is it possible that a train with 3 or 4 employees could carry considerably more people than three or four buses with one employee per bus? Yes, I think it could.



Yes that is possibly true, however I would bet that the Amtrak employees total compensation is far higher than the average Mega bus driver and we would also need to account for the supporting staff + more.

Government seldom does anything as efficiently as does the private sector !!!

You have been a big proponent in the past of commuter rail between OKC and Norman. If they were running buses at a lower fare would you still be in favor of rail?
For me this is mostly an issue of relieving congestion, increasing efficiency and making society more prosperous.

Yes I am a proponent of light rail, commuter rail and even high speed rail when it relives congestion and makes society more efficient and productive. But when there are very acceptable alternatives that offer significant cost savings for the tax payer it’s smarter to put your limited resources to work elsewhere.

As the greater OKC area grows congestion will become a bigger and bigger problem. I would eventually like to see a fast commuter rail system constructed. The sooner we develop a master commuter rail plan for our area the more effective it will be even if its 20 years before it comes into operation. We would be able to build up near the system with both government and private money in ways that would eventually help support the rail system.

I would also try to find a way to have the day to day operations operated by a private entity because once again...............

Government seldom does anything as efficiently as does the private sector!!!

Yes that is possibly true, however I would bet that the Amtrak employees total compensation is far higher than the average Mega bus driver and we would also need to account for the supporting staff + more.

Government seldom does anything as efficiently as does the private sector !!!

Possibly, but payroll is really an insignificant amount in the cost of either means of transporation. It's certainly not a reason to favor one over the other.

Yes I am a proponent of light rail, commuter rail and even high speed rail when it relives congestion and makes society more efficient and productive. But when there are very acceptable alternatives that offer significant cost savings for the tax payer it’s smarter to put your limited resources to work elsewhere.

So just to be sure I understand for future reference, you would prefer bus service between OKC and Norman if the cost to the public was less. Is that correct?

So just to be sure I understand for future reference, you would prefer bus service between OKC and Norman if the cost to the public was less. Is that correct?

Go back and reread what I wrote and you will see that when the public is made more prosperous by having trains, I will favor trains and that time is coming for our area.

Megabus has now added Oklahoma City to Dallas service with departures at 8:00AM , 1:00 PM and 7PM
They will depart from the NW corner of N. Hudson Ave and NW 5th St. in OKC

Megabus has moved its Dallas location to Grand Prairie. This makes it not as convenient, I don't believe.

Megabus has moved its Dallas location to Grand Prairie. This makes it not as convenient, I don't believe.

This is the new location: https://maps.google.com/maps?q=710+Davis+St+in+Grand+Prairie&ie=UTF-8&hl=en

Doesn't really look like a place I would want to go...at all.

I think that is just the bus yard (maintenance) - not their bus stop.

Megabus has moved its Dallas location to Grand Prairie. This makes it not as convenient, I don't believe.

If I understand correctly, that's only a temporary stop until the downtown stop is ready.... I hope that's the case.

I think that is just the bus yard (maintenance) - not their bus stop.

Dallas, TX - Stop ChangePosted: Wednesday June 13, 2012
Please be advised that the pick-up and drop off location for Dallas, TX has moved. The new pick-up/drop-off point will be located at 710 Davis Street in Grand Prairie. The new stop is at the Coach USA Bus Facility. There are pick-up and drop-off facilities at the facility, but no parking is available on site. Megabus.com’s arrival/departure location will not be on Elm Street between N. Olive St and S. Pearl St. in downtown Dallas – as we announced in May – because the required facility changes at the downtown location will not be completed by June 19. We sincerely regret the inconvenience that may be caused as a result of the change. Further information on the stop location can be found in the bus stops section of the website.


If I understand correctly, that's only a temporary stop until the downtown stop is ready.... I hope that's the case.

That's the vibe I'm getting, so hopefully that is correct.

Thanks Venture79 - that clears that up.

This is information on the Dallas relocation

http://cityhallblog.dallasnews.com/2012/06/megabus-was-supposed-to-start-rolling-out-of-downtown-dallas-next-week-nope-try-grand-prairie-instead.html/

I talked to somebody at OU who works in OU’s transit department.

OU will be moving its south oval drop off point to a new transit center on Brooks Street near the duck pond. They hope to make this the OU bus hub and the location for the OU station for commuter rail if it's ever built.

The current Megabus drop off / pick up point is at the LNC but this person thought Meagbus would move to the new duck pond location.
This person said that Meagbus may expand its service to from OKC to Tulsa and on to Kansas City.

I talked to somebody at OU who works in OU’s transit department.

OU will be moving its south oval drop off point to a new transit center on Brooks Street near the duck pond. They hope to make this the OU bus hub and the location for the OU station for commuter rail if it ever built.

OU needs to look at putting in some kind of people mover system if they are planning a train station over there. Even West Virginia is ahead of us.

Di5acGAmcm0

Duck pond seems less convenient than the south oval for students using CART to get to/from class. Perhaps that's just a perception thing as it's been a while since I hoofed across the campus.

For many students it won’t be as convenient but OU will be adjusting its bus routes with other stops.

OU is turning much of the south oval into a pedestrian walk way…… they have started construction.
The Duck Pond bus stop is in a congested area but if they built a limited access road along the west side of the Duck pond south to Lindsey Street and then install traffic lights that turned green on the approach of a bus it would speed up the system.

But they definitely want to eventually build an OU commuter rail station in this area.

OU needs to look at putting in some kind of people mover system if they are planning a train station over there. Even West Virginia is ahead of us.

Di5acGAmcm0

LOL, Kerry. If WVU was only trying to move people from as far as the Duck Pond to the OU campus they would have never built that system.

Saw a Megabus the other day at 23rd and Santa Fe.

I saw one today on I-35 in Norman..

I saw one today on I-35 in Norman..

Was it a single or double deck bus?

I was told yesterday that some in Norman would rather build a light rail system like DART’s light rail system than a commuter rail system.
It seems like the cost of a light rail system would be much greater than a commuter rail system.

But apparently everybody who matters, wants a passenger rail station at OU including Amtrak regardless of rail type.

My daughter just took Megabus from Charlotte, NC to OKC. Her ticket was $35 one-way. They told her this was the first month they'd been in Texas and Oklahoma. HOWEVER...there was a driver mix-up in Memphis and she got delayed 4 extra hours, which caused her to miss her connection from Dallas to OKC. Family members had to step in and get her here from Dallas. She called and talked to the corporate office of Megabus...and though she hadn't asked for it...they refunded her Dallas-OKC fare. I think she said it was about $2. LOL Despite this snafu, she still raves about Megabus and uses it for trips along the east coast. She says the seats are super-comfy, there's wi-fi on board, and every seat has two power outlets. So you can surf the net, watch movies, listen to music, etc...

My daughter just took Megabus from Charlotte, NC to OKC. Her ticket was $35 one-way. They told her this was the first month they'd been in Texas and Oklahoma. HOWEVER...there was a driver mix-up in Memphis and she got delayed 4 extra hours, which caused her to miss her connection from Dallas to OKC. Family members had to step in and get her here from Dallas. She called and talked to the corporate office of Megabus...and though she hadn't asked for it...they refunded her Dallas-OKC fare. I think she said it was about $2. LOL Despite this snafu, she still raves about Megabus and uses it for trips along the east coast. She says the seats are super-comfy, there's wi-fi on board, and every seat has two power outlets. So you can surf the net, watch movies, listen to music, etc...

Wow..... how long did that trip take?
Was she able to sleep very much?