View source for BoltBus

{{Short description|American commercial intercity bus service}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2017}}
{{Infobox Bus transit
| name = BoltBus
| logo = BoltBus_logo.png
| logo_size = 250px
| image = File:BoltBus 0889 in Portland Oregon 2014.jpg
| image_size =250px
| image_caption = A BoltBus in Portland, Oregon, in 2014
| parent = [[Greyhound Lines]]
| founded = {{start date and age|2008|03|27}}
| defunct = {{end date and age|2021|07|01}}
| headquarters = [[One Dallas Center]]<br>350 N St. Paul St<br>[[Dallas]], [[Texas]], U.S.
| service_area = [[Northeastern United States]]<br>[[Pacific Northwest]]<br>[[California]]/[[Nevada]]
| service_type = [[Intercity bus service]]
| destinations =Northeast:<br>[[Baltimore]]; [[Boston]]; [[Cherry Hill, New Jersey|Cherry Hill]]; [[Greenbelt, Maryland]]; [[Newark, New Jersey]]; [[New Haven, Connecticut]]; [[New York City]]; [[Philadelphia]]; [[Washington, D.C.]]<br>Northwest:<br>[[Albany, Oregon|Albany]]; [[Bellingham, Washington|Bellingham]]; [[Eugene, Oregon|Eugene]]; [[Portland, Oregon|Portland]]; [[Seattle]]; [[Vancouver]]
| fleet = 101 units:<br> 70 [[Prevost Car|Prevost]] [[Prevost X-Series|X3-45]]<br>31 [[Motor Coach Industries|MCI]] [[MCI D-Series|D4505]]
| fuel_type = Diesel
| operator = [[Greyhound Lines]]
}}

'''BoltBus''' was an [[Intercity bus service|intercity bus]] [[common carrier]] and a division of [[Greyhound Lines]] that operated from March 2008 until July 2021 in the [[Northeastern United States|northeast]] and [[Western United States|western]] United States and [[British Columbia]], [[Canada]].

At least one ticket on every bus was randomly sold for $1, excluding "handling charges".<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.oregonlive.com/travel/2015/01/bolt_bus_provides_cheap_freque.html | title=Bolt Bus provides cheap, frequent, convenient service along Interstate 5, Portland to Seattle or Eugene | first=Terry | last=Richard | work=[[The Oregonian]] | date=January 27, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.geekwire.com/2021/cheap-tech-friendly-boltbus-rolled-into-greyhound-during-service-renovations/ | title=Cheap, tech friendly BoltBus is rolled into Greyhound during 'service renovations' | first=KURT | last=SCHLOSSER | work=[[GeekWire]] | date=July 1, 2021}}</ref> The $1 fare was the basis for its slogan "Bolt for a Buck".<ref>{{cite magazine | title=Beating $4 Gas with a $1 Bus | url=http://content.time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,1812012,00.html | first=Anita | last=Hamilton | magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] | date=June 6, 2008 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080607204731/http://www.time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,1812012,00.html?imw=Y | archive-date=June 7, 2008 | url-status=live}}</ref>

In the northeast, BoltBus provided service between [[New York City]] and [[South Station Bus Terminal]] in [[Boston]], [[Union Station (Washington, D.C.)|Union Station]] in [[Washington, D.C.]], [[Pennsylvania Station (Baltimore)|Penn Station]] in [[Baltimore]], the [[Greenbelt (Washington Metro)|Greenbelt Metro station]] in [[Greenbelt, Maryland]], [[Pennsylvania Station (Newark)|Penn Station]] in [[Newark, New Jersey|Newark]], [[30th Street Station]] in [[Philadelphia]], and the [[Cherry Hill Mall]] in [[Cherry Hill, New Jersey]]. On the west coast, BoltBus service was offered in [[Oregon]], [[Washington (state)|Washington]], and [[British Columbia]], [[Canada]]. Service was available between [[International District/Chinatown station]] in [[Seattle]] and Portland, [[Pacific Central Station]] in [[Vancouver]], [[Bellingham, Washington|Bellingham]], [[Albany, Oregon|Albany]], and [[Eugene, Oregon|Eugene]].

The BoltBus branding incorporated a [[thunderbolt]] logo similar to the one used by the [[British Union of Fascists]], but the company claimed that the resemblance was purely coincidental.<ref>{{cite news | last=Cedotal | first=Andrew | title=Is Bolt Bus Using the Logo of a British Fascist Party? | url=https://www.themarysue.com/is-bolt-bus-fascist/ | work=[[The Mary Sue]] | date=January 25, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last=Hopper | first=Tristin | title=Fascist, schmaschist: Why a West Coast bus company picked the same logo as some dead British fascists | url=https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/bus-companys-logo-identical-to-notorious-u-k-fascist-groups-but-theyre-sticking-with-it | work=[[National Post]] | date=January 28, 2016}}</ref>

When ticketed, passengers were assigned to a boarding group (S, A, B & C). Passengers who purchased their tickets earlier or were members of the company's [[loyalty program]] or had [[special needs]] got an earlier boarding group assignment.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.wanderu.com/blog/boltbus-ticket/ | title=How to Read Your BoltBus Ticket | first=Tom | last=Gambardella | work=[[Wanderu (company)|Wanderu]] | date=September 13, 2019}}</ref>

==History==
[[File:BoltBus Prevost X3-45 0800.jpg|thumb|A BoltBus [[Prevost Car|Prevost]] [[Prevost X-Series|X3-45]] in New York City.]]
In March 2008, facing competition from [[Chinatown bus lines]] in the northeast, Greyhound and [[Peter Pan Bus Lines]] partnered to launch BoltBus as a lower-cost brand.<ref name=starts>{{cite news | url=https://www.bizjournals.com/washington/stories/2008/03/03/daily12.html | title=Boltbus starts from D.C. to New York City service | last=Killian | first=Erin | work=[[American City Business Journals]] | date=March 4, 2008 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080329004519/http://sanantonio.bizjournals.com/washington/stories/2008/03/03/daily12.html | archive-date=March 29, 2008| url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | title=Peter Pan, Greyhound offer new bus service | url=https://www.masslive.com/news/2008/03/peter_pan_greyhound_offer_new.html | first=Jim | last=Kinney | work=[[The Republican (Springfield, Massachusetts)|The Republican]] | date=March 11, 2008}}</ref>

The first route was between [[New York City]] and [[Washington, D.C.]], launched on March 27, 2008, followed by a route between New York City and [[Philadelphia]] launched on April 10, 2008, and between New York City and [[Boston]] launched on April 24, 2008.<ref name=starts/><ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.nydailynews.com/news/boltbus-1-maiden-voyage-midtown-thursday-article-1.290831 | title=Bus fare to D.C. a dollar, not a dream! | last=O'Neill | first=Xana | work=[[New York Daily News]] | date=March 27, 2008 | url-access=limited}}</ref>

That year, the company was named one of America's hottest brands by ''[[Ad Age]]''.<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://adage.com/article/special-report-americas-hottest-brands-2009/bolt-bus-america-s-hottest-brands-case-study/140463 | title=BOLT BUS: AN AMERICA'S HOTTEST BRANDS CASE STUDY | first=Rupal | last=Parekh | work=[[Ad Age]] | date=November 16, 2009 | url-access=subscription}}</ref>

Stops in [[Baltimore]] and [[Greenbelt, Maryland]] were added in 2009.<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/bs-mtblog-2009-04-boltbus_launching_service_from-story.html | title=BoltBus launching service: Baltimore to NYC for $1 | first=Michelle | last=Deal-Zimmerman | work=[[The Baltimore Sun]] | date=April 30, 2009 | url-access=limited}}</ref>

A stop in [[Newark, New Jersey]] was added on March 24, 2011.<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.bizjournals.com/baltimore/news/2011/03/08/boltbus-adds-baltimore-newark-nj.html | title=BoltBus adds Baltimore-Newark, N.J., route | first=Jeff | last=Clabaugh | work=[[American City Business Journals]] | date=March 8, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite press release | url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/boltbus-expands-its-newark-nj-hub-with-service-to-boston-and-philadelphia-beginning-june-23-123803979.html | title=BoltBus Expands its Newark, N.J. Hub With Service to Boston and Philadelphia Beginning June 23 | publisher=[[PR Newswire]] | date=June 14, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.patriotledger.com/story/business/2011/06/14/boltbus-launches-new-route-between/40043878007/ | title=BoltBus launches new route between Boston and Philadelphia | work=[[The Patriot Ledger]] | date=June 14, 2011 | url-access=limited}}</ref>

BoltBus expanded to the Pacific Northwest on May 17, 2012, offering service between [[Seattle]] and [[Portland, Oregon|Portland]].<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2012/04/30/boltbus-to-offer-fares-as-low-as-2.html | title=BoltBus to offer $1 fares between Seattle, Portland | first=Jennifer | last=Sokolowsky | work=[[American City Business Journals]] | date=April 30, 2012}}</ref> Unlike the service in the northeast, Greyhound operated its BoltBus service on the west coast without a partner bus carrier. Service in the Pacific Northwest was expanded to Vancouver and Bellingham on May 31, 2012<ref>{{cite news | title=BoltBus adds a Vancouver, B.C. line from Seattle | url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/boltbus-adds-a-vancouver-b-c-line-from-seattle/ | first=Mike | last=Lindblom | work=[[The Seattle Times]] | date=May 14, 2012}}</ref> and to [[Albany, Oregon|Albany]] and [[Eugene, Oregon|Eugene]] on October 3, 2013.<ref>{{cite press release | title=BoltBus To Expand Oregon Service To Eugene And Albany On Oct. 3 | url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/boltbus-to-expand-oregon-service-to-eugene-and-albany-on-oct-3-223139361.html |publisher=[[PR Newswire]] | date=September 10, 2013}}</ref>

BoltBus expanded into California on October 31, 2013, offering service between [[Los Angeles]] and San Jose and Oakland.<ref>{{cite press release | url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/boltbus-to-launch-service-in-california-on-oct-31-227822291.html | title=BoltBus To Launch Service In California On Oct. 31 | publisher=[[PR Newswire]] | date=October 15, 2013}}</ref> A stop at [[Transbay Terminal]] in [[San Francisco]] was added to the route on December 12, 2013.<ref name=Expands>{{cite press release | url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/boltbus-expands-from-los-angeles-adds-las-vegas-san-francisco-service-235260791.html | title=BoltBus Expands From Los Angeles; Adds Las Vegas, San Francisco Service | publisher=[[PR Newswire]] | date=December 10, 2013}}</ref>

A second route between Union Station in Los Angeles and [[San Diego]] was added on November 14, 2013.<ref>{{cite press release | url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/boltbus-continues-california-expansion-adds-san-diego-service-230855361.html | title=BoltBus Continues California Expansion, Adds San Diego Service | publisher=[[PR Newswire]] | date=November 6, 2013}}</ref>

On December 12, 2013, a route was added between Los Angeles [[Union Station (Los Angeles)|Union Station]] and [[Las Vegas]], with a stop in [[Barstow, California|Barstow]].<ref name=Expands/>

In 2015, it added a pickup in [[Hollywood, Los Angeles]] for routes to/from [[Northern California]].<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.latimes.com/travel/california/la-trb-hollywood-bolt-bus-20150113-story.html | title=BoltBus adds Hollywood pickup for Northern California routes | first=MARY | last=FORGIONE | work=[[Los Angeles Times]] | date=January 14, 2015 | url-access=limited}}</ref>

In October 2016, the company launched a new onboard entertainment system.<ref>{{Cite press release | url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/boltbus-launches-all-new-on-board-entertainment-system-300350190.html | title=BoltBus Launches All New On-Board Entertainment System | publisher=[[PR Newswire]] | date=October 25, 2016}}</ref>

Effective September 27, 2017, after a lengthy legal skirmish, Greyhound and Peter Pan Bus Lines ended their partnership and Greyhound became the sole owner of BoltBus.<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www3.bostonglobe.com/business/2017/08/29/greyhound-peter-pan-will-split-and-rivals-again/NUe8YqNnDgxpsPjHhn2HWO/story.html | title=Greyhound, Peter Pan will split up and be rivals again | first=Adam | last=Vaccaro | work=[[The Boston Globe]] | url-access=limited | date=August 29, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170914215643/https://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2017/08/29/greyhound-peter-pan-will-split-and-rivals-again/NUe8YqNnDgxpsPjHhn2HWO/story.html |archive-date=September 14, 2017 | url-status=live}}</ref>

On October 19, 2017, BoltBus service was extended to [[Fresno, California]], with routes to Los Angeles, Hollywood, San Jose, San Francisco, and Oakland.<ref>{{cite press release | url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/boltbus-expanding-service-in-california-adding-fresno-ca-300535762.html | title=BoltBus Expanding Service in California, adding Fresno, CA | publisher=[[PR Newswire]] | date=October 12, 2017}}</ref>

In March 2019, BoltBus added stops in [[Tacoma, Washington]] and [[Everett, Washington]].<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/discount-bus-service-launches-from-everett-station/ | title=BoltBus links Everett to Seattle and other big I-5 cities | first=Janice | last=Podsada | work=[[The Everett Herald]] | date=March 8, 2019}}</ref> It also added a stop in [[Wilmington, Delaware]].<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://technical.ly/diversity-equity-inclusion/boltbus-new-line-from-wilmington-to-baltimore-and-dc/ | title=BoltBus just made it easier to get from Wilmington to Baltimore and DC | first=Holly | last=Quinn | work=[[Technically Media]] | date=April 3, 2019}}</ref>

On July 1, 2021, BoltBus discontinued its operations.<ref>{{Cite news | title=RIP, BoltBus — the affordable, trendy bus company has discontinued service; Greyhound will take over its routes | url=https://www.seattletimes.com/life/travel/rip-boltbus-the-affordable-trendy-bus-company-has-discontinued-service-and-greyhound-will-take-over-its-routes/ | work=[[The Seattle Times]] | last=Kiley | first=Brendan | date=July 1, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last=Wilkinson | first=Joseph | title=Discount bus brand BoltBus indefinitely suspended, Greyhound taking over routes | url=https://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/ny-boltbus-finished-greyhound-20210702-zdkmfqbxdbdwtdeihbvw7v74ra-story.html | work=[[New York Daily News]] | date=July 1, 2021 | url-access=limited}}</ref>

In September 2021, FlixMobility acquired Greyhound.<ref>{{Cite press release | title=FlixMobility acquires Greyhound to Expand U.S. Intercity Bus Services | url=https://corporate.flixbus.com/flixmobility-acquires-greyhound-to-expand-us-intercity-bus-services/ | publisher=[[Flixbus]] | date=October 21, 2021}}</ref>

==Fleet==
[[File:BoltBus Interior.jpg|thumbnail|BoltBus interior with leather seats.]]
[[File:BoltBus D4505.jpg|thumb|BoltBus #0889, a 2013 [[Motor Coach Industries]] D4505 stopped at [[Pacific Central Station]] in [[Vancouver]], [[British Columbia]], Canada.]]

BoltBus routes used [[Prevost Car|Prevost]] [[Prevost X-Series|X3-45]] and [[Motor Coach Industries|MCI]] [[MCI D-Series|D4505]] coaches. All motorcoaches were equipped with wireless internet access and seats that had armrests, footrests, [[seat belts]], cup holders. Most seats had a pair of 120-volt power outlets. The motorcoaches used on BoltBus had 5 fewer seats than the industry standard, giving passengers additional legroom and eliminating the middle seat from the last row.
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Manufacturer !! Model !! Year !! Fleet numbers !! Notes<ref>{{cite web | url=https://apps.txdmv.gov/apps/mccs/truckstop/ | website=[[Texas Department of Motor Vehicles]] | title=Welcome to Truck Stop}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="3" |[[Prevost Car|Prevost]] || rowspan="3" |[[Prevost X-Series|X3-45]] || 2008 || 0800-0832 || rowspan="3" | Powered by [[Detroit Diesel Series 60]] 14L. Equipped with Amaya Patriot PT seating. 
2017 year models are powered by the Volvo D13
|-
| 2009 || 0833-0837, 0840-0841, 0843-0851, 0854-0870 
|-
|2017 
|0908-0922
|-
| rowspan="2" |[[Motor Coach Industries]] || rowspan="2" |D4505 || 2012 || 0886 || Owned by Motor Coach Industries, replacement unit for 0883.
|-
| 2014 || 0887-0901 || Powered by Cummins ISX12. Equipped with American Seating Premier.
|-
|[[Van Hool]]
|CX-45
|2015
|0902-0907
|
|}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
* Bowen, Alison, [https://web.archive.org/web/20120615194408/http://www.metro.us/newyork/local/article/1011915--curbside-buses-more-dangerous "Boltbus, Megabus and Fung-Wah: Curbside buses more dangerous: Buses that pick up passengers off the street are more dangerous than those that use a terminal, a new report found"], ''[[Metro International|Metro]]'' newspaper, New York City, October 31, 2011

==External links==
{{Commons category|BoltBus}}

{{FirstGroup}}
[[Category:2008 introductions]]
[[Category:Bus transportation in New Jersey]]
[[Category:Bus transportation in Oregon]]
[[Category:Bus transportation in Washington (state)]]
[[Category:Greyhound Lines]]
[[Category:Intercity bus companies of the United States]]
[[Category:Products and services discontinued in 2021]]