We're humming old Paul Simon lyrics, thinking about young people who might be planning to hop a bus for home as the holidays approach. Or maybe they're hoping to hit a nearby big city for some serious shopping.

The arrival of Megabus "low-cost daily express bus service" to Madison earlier this year gives travelers another option when it comes to looking for America -- Chicago or Minneapolis, at least -- by motorcoach.

Megabus, which has service from Madison to the two cities, stresses value and convenience as its biggest selling points, says company president and chief operating officer Dale Moser.

"It's certainly the value," he says. "We want to be the most economical deal out there."

Megabus advertises fares as low as $1 each way. Such seats are limited, based on travel day and time, and it's first-come, first-served on the cheaper seats, Moser says. From $1, fares rise incrementally, he explains, to $5, say, then $10 and so on to full fare price. A recent ticket search put the Madison-to-Chicago route in the $30-35 range, each way.

"The further you can plan ahead, obviously, the better," Moser says. "Booking early gives you the best opportunity (to save)."

Travelers also can save by going on what typically are considered off-days, a Tuesday or Wednesday, for example, rather than high-demand weekend days.

"That's no different than the airlines," Moser says.

Even full Megabus fares represent a bargain compared to air travel and also to driving, once all factors are considered, he says. "You've got gas and tolls and parking."

There's also an environmentally friendly factor that's appealing to many, since bus travel helps to keep cars off the road.

"Those that are looking for green alternatives are finding our fleet to be the cleanest, newest, most efficient," Moser says.

Megabus motorcoaches are mainly 81-passenger, double-decker touring buses with free Wi-Fi, a hit with the many "young professionals" aged 18-30 who are the company's top rider demographic, Moser says. Another group that makes up a good portion of the Megabus ridership are women age 30-55.

"They want to travel, but they don't want to drive," he says. "They go to Chicago to shop or visit, and they want to do it during the week."

A third group, so-called "silver surfers," are using Megabus in large numbers as well, Moser says. "They're maybe retirees who are looking for travel deals and don't want to drive or fly."

With service now in 28 cities, Megabus recently reached four million riders since it launched in April 2006, including a million tickets sold in the most recent five-month operating period.

In Madison over the past three months, Megabus has carried about 250 passengers out of town per week, company spokesperson Amanda Mullin says. About 67 percent have gone to Minneapolis and 33 percent to Chicago.

Overall, the company has been growing at more than a 60 percent rate each year, Moser says.

"That tells us even in a down economy, people are still turning to look for affordable values to travel," he says. "People want to stretch their dollar, and they're tired of staying home."

 

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