This May marked Megabus.com’s one-year milestone of State College service, which Megabus.com President Dale Moser said he has been very happy with thus far.
“We have been delighted with the response from State College,” Moser said.
Megabus.com, an affiliate of Coach USA, is a bus service that offers “safe, convenient, low cost, daily express bus service in the US and Canada,” according to the official website. Amenities on Megabuses include electrical outlets at every seat, free wireless internet, seat belts and professional drivers.
Moser said requests to have a Megabus stop established in State College were received for a while, so they decided it would be a good move to put one there.
Though Megabus.com is always looking to expand, Moser said everything in State College is “stable.” When Megabus.com established the State College route, they had high expectations, Moser said.
“We knew that the response would be fantastic since a stop in State College was in such high demand,” Moser said.
Bobby Wenz (senior-psychology) said he has been using Megabus.com’s services over the course of the past year to go back and forth between State College and his home in Pittsburgh.
“I don’t have a car, so [using a Megabus] was more convenient and a bit cheaper than other ways of travel,” Wenz said.
Wenz said though check-in was a bit “hectic and confusing,” he found it easy to find his seat on the bus and feel comfortable. For Wenz, “there weren’t any problems” during his trip and he liked how all of the drivers are professional.
Moser said Megabus.com has been serving areas near colleges, including the University of Michigan, Ohio State University and Syracuse University. College-age students and people just out of college are the growing demographic in service for Megabus.com.
“Our service not only brings more value to college students, but to their families,” Moser said. “My daughter is a college student, and I have her use Megabus because I know they are safe and reliable.”
Rachel Miller (junior-international politics) said she traveled on a Megabus for the first time during June after taking recommendations from friends. Miller, like Wenz, also traveled to Pittsburgh and found the experience to be a good one.
“I am always a little nervous when using public transportation, but Megabuses are cheap, convenient and easy to use,” Miller said. “I would definitely recommend it to my friends.”
Megabuses are also a greener alternative to other transportation, Moser said, because they use less fossil fuel.
“Our buses use one-fourth less gas than a car would traveling to the same destination,” Moser said.
Moser said college students seem to go for more economically-friendly transportation, which is another reason why he believes college-age students are a growing demographic.
Megabus.com offers one of the most affordable pricing of any travel method, including driving, Moser said.
“We want our customers to save money by purchasing our bus tickets so that they have more money to spend on their trips,” Moser said.
Miller said students would benefit from taking Megabuses because they would be able to take a trip to and from State College for under $20. She said students would also not have to worry about traffic, driving or finding a parking spot.
“It kind of gives a peace at mind,” Miller said, adding she could take a nap or do homework on the trip.
Miller said since there are buses that stop in State College at different points of the day, someone could take an early bus to their destination and then take a later bus back to State College that same day.
Wenz said Megabus.com has better publicity than other bus and travel companies since they have their advertisements on the bus, which enticed him to try Megabus.com’s services.
“[Megabuses] really catch your eye, while some buses just blend in or not very noticeable,” Wenz said.
