Passenger Trains > Megabus Back in CA/NV Market

After an abortive attempt in California and Nevada back in 2007-2008 Megabus is back in this market effective today with the following services:

--Six daily roundtrips Los Angeles-San Francisco(3 via San Jose and 3 via Oakland)
--Four roundtrips Los Angeles-Las Vegas(intermediate stop in Riverside)
--Four roundtrips San Francisco-Sacramento(2 continue to Sparks, NV)

Impact to Amtrak California would appear to be minimal but the Megabus SF-Sacto run in two hours flat without the mode change Amtrak has in Emeryville and the low fares could be pretty tempting to travelers with those specific endpoints. From CNBC:
http://www.cnbc.com/id/100305905

The route M11 08:15 SF-LA run is seen passing a Muni LRV and hanging a right on to 4th Street from King to load directly across from the Caltrain San Francisco station this morning(Megabus will also board at San Jose Amtrak/Caltrain and West Oakland BART). It's worth noting that the buses(the 08:00 M13 run to Sparks was also there) block for an extended period(20+ minutes) one of the two traffic lanes northbound on 4th between King and Townsend causing considerable backup.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 12/12/12 14:09 by shed47.

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It's worth noting that the buses(the 08:00
> M13 run to Sparks was also there) block for an
> extended period(20+ minutes) one of the two
> traffic lanes northbound on 4th between King and
> Townsend causing considerable backup.

How do they get away with that?

Ptolemy Wrote:

>
> How do they get away with that?


Good question.

It's interesting to see that, apart from translation from £1 to $1, the livery is identical (as far as I can see) to the one we see here in the UK.

Hartington Wrote:
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> It's interesting to see that, apart from
> translation from £1 to $1, the livery is
> identical (as far as I can see) to the one we see
> here in the UK.

And your drivers are on the wrong side.

Al - in - Stockton

Ptolemy Wrote:
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> How do they get away with that?


Been to downtown SF lately?? Good luck getting a cop to respond for a violent gang fight with weapons, let alone a stupid little parking violation. SFPD and Oakland PD are short-staffed, overworked, and things are only getting worse. Many departments in CA are struggling right now. In Vallejo, you can't call the police department any more except to get voice mail---where someone MIGHT get back to you. The only way to contact them is to call 911. They will not respond to anything "cold"---you're on your own. Fill out an online form, click "send", and it generates a report number. That's it! No investigation, no nuttin'. SFPD certainly doesn't give a hoot about a parked bus.

coaststarlight99 Wrote:
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> Ptolemy Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
>
> > How do they get away with that?
>
>
> Been to downtown SF lately?? Good luck getting a
> cop to respond for a violent gang fight with
> weapons, let alone a stupid little parking
> violation. SFPD and Oakland PD are short-staffed,
> overworked, and things are only getting worse.
> Many departments in CA are struggling right now.
> In Vallejo, you can't call the police department
> any more except to get voice mail---where someone
> MIGHT get back to you. The only way to contact
> them is to call 911. They will not respond to
> anything "cold"---you're on your own. Fill out an
> online form, click "send", and it generates a
> report number. That's it! No investigation, no
> nuttin'. SFPD certainly doesn't give a hoot about
> a parked bus.
SF still has, to my knowledge, many "Meter Maids" who would be interested in a doubled parked bus. AA

Stanford White
Carmel Valley, CA

IT IS A BUS.

'Nuff said...

djansson Wrote:
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> IT IS A BUS.
>
> 'Nuff said...

What's THAT supposed to mean?

I can't speak for San Francisco, but in Pittsburgh Megabus is not allowed to load and unload its patrons whereever it wishes.

djansson Wrote:
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> IT IS A BUS.
>
> 'Nuff said...

Just because it's a bus doesn't mean they get to block a lane for 20-30 minutes.
Yes, Muni's buses block the curb lane when they stop for passengers, but they only block it for 1 - 2 minutes max.

I* expect tha city management will step in with a talk with the local management of Megabus very soon to remind them that blocking 4th street in front of the Caltrain station is a no-no. I believe the Megabuses will likely move to another location -- perhaps on Townsend street? -- for their extended stops.

That's good news to us in Amtrak-less Las Vegas! Bus service from a secure location off the South Strip direct to Union Station. Hope they make it! I'll be riding trains in L.A. next month! Of course, next year we'll have the X Train running to L.A.! :-)

Auto backup looks terrible!!!

Bob

RRChuck Wrote:
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> That's good news to us in Amtrak-less Las Vegas!
> Bus service from a secure location off the South
> Strip direct to Union Station. Hope they make it!
> I'll be riding trains in L.A. next month! Of
> course, next year we'll have the X Train running
> to L.A.! :-)

I've criticized the pundits who pimped MegaBus to the politicians in the past, but this is a good move on their part. Looks like X Train will miss the boat.

I've seen a MegaBus or two on Hwy 101 in November, probably doing some dry runs before the announcement. I've also overheard some Coach America employees talking about the new MegaBus service, chatting about how much they'll get paid, benefits, etc. Depending on MegaBus's schedule, I might even give them a try. Having an intercity bus come to train stations (San Jose, San Francisco, Los Angeles, etc.) is a real plus, and echoes what I said before, that buses and trains need not be competition, even if the brainwashed game theorists can't deal with having no winners.

There will be a loser if they succeed: Greyhound.