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First Bus releases new travel app

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Posted: 9 May 2017 | Intelligent Transport | No comments yet

First Bus is releasing a new travel information app to include multi-modal travel information to make it easier for people to catch the bus.

National bus operator, First Bus , is releasing a new travel information app to include multi-modal travel information and a door-to-door journey planner in a bid to make it easier for people to catch the bus.

The updated First Bus Travel Information app will be easy for users to navigate with their most frequently used information available and key features will include:

• Multi-modal door-to-door journey planning covering all modes (i.e. bus, rail and tram) and all operators across the UK
• Mapping progress along a bus route towards a user’s destination on Google Maps
• Users favourite bus stops
• Bus stops nearby within a set walking radius (this can be set to 5, 10 or 15 minutes)
• Walking directions to the required bus stop
• Save favourite journeys made and destinations travelled to
• Travel Service Alerts.

“We’re thrilled to be launching this update to our Travel Information app,” said James Timperley, Director of Retail Development at First Bus. “Our aim is to make it easier for customers to catch the bus and we believe this update to our app helps to remove some of the key barriers our customers face when trying to use our services.

“Our aim is to make it easier for customers to catch the bus”

“We have worked with The App Business, Transport API and Google to develop the new version of the Travel Information app and in doing this we have been able to utilise their knowledge of transport data to ensure that we have an accurate, easy to use and reliable app for our customers.”

First Bus currently has two apps available for customers and will be making improvements to its mobile offering over the course of this year.

“The release of the new First Bus app is the latest output in a long-running collaboration we are very proud of at The App Business,” added David Tuck, Commercial Director at The App Business. “It’s a transformative piece of work; not only for customers, who will be able to plan their journeys and travel more easily across the UK on multiple modes of transport, but also for what it means for First Group’s mobile offering across the board.”

The First Bus Travel Information app is available to download now.

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First Bus operate the majority of the commercial bus services in the West of England including several Park & Ride services and the metrobus services m1, m2, m3, m3x and m4.

All routes by this operator, fares information.

First Bus operate the majority of services within the West of England area. Their tickets can be bought via their own app, on the bus (except metrobus services), at iPoints, online on their website, at First Bus Station Shops and they also accept Travelwest Travelcards.

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Please be aware that costs and terms of use of tickets are set by operators and we cannot accept responsibility for incorrect or outdated information as unplanned changes may occur.

Regular bus fares

Please note that this is a summary of most common tickets. To see the full list of ticket types please visit the operators’ website .

You can buy the most common First Bus tickets on board the bus in cash or contactless (except metrobus services – this is a buy before you board service), on their First Bus app, online on a Travelwest Travelcard or at a metrobus iPoint. Some tickets can also be bought on their website or at their Travel Shops.

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* WsM: Weston-super-Mare; WofE: West of England

Group tickets: This operator offers a discounted day ticket for groups of up to five people. Please see the First Bus website for Group fares per area .

Tap on, Tap off

Tap On, Tap Off uses contactless payments to cap adult bus fares, so you’ll never pay more than the day ticket fare for each day you travel in your chosen zone.

The more you travel across 7 days (Monday to Sunday), the cheaper the days become, please see capped prices per week below.

There’s no need to ask the driver for a ticket; just tap when you get on and off the bus and make sure you tap the  same  contactless card or device each time. 

VISA, Mastercard, Apple Pay and Google Pay are accepted.

Visit the First Bus website for more information on Tap On, Tap Off.

Capped prices per day

Filter by zone

Capped prices per week*

*Cap is calculated over 7 days (Monday to Sunday). Please note Tap On, Tap Off may not be your cheapest option and customers should consider mTickets, and if travelling frequently Month/Year tickets.

Regular First Bus Bristol Zone tickets and Tap On, Tap Off are accepted on all metrobus services. Below is a list of most common tickets.

metrobus is a buy before you board service. You cannot buy tickets on board these services, except when using Tap On, Tap Off. Visit the link below for more information

• English concessionary bus passes (‘older person’s’ and ‘disabled person’s’) are accepted on all metrobus services
• Children up to the age of 4 travel free with fare paying adults

Bath Park & Ride

The fares below apply only to services 21 (Newbridge Park & Ride), 31 (Lansdown Park & Ride) and 41 (Odd Down Park & Ride). The operator’s regular bus fares apply to services 4 and 42 (Odd Down Park & Ride).

You can buy some tickets on bus using cash or contactless, or use the First Bus app. Travelwest Travelcards are also available for some ticket types.

Holders of English National Concessionary Passes can travel for free after 09:00 on weekdays (Monday to Friday) and all day on Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays.Up to 5 children (under 16) can travel for free with each fare-paying adult.First day and season tickets can be used on Bath Park & Ride. Day & week multi-operator Rider tickets are also accepted.

Cost savers

This operator accepts the following cost saving tickets on all their services, including metrobus and Park & Ride services.

Major Alerts

Major updates that may affect your travel in the west of england..

• Last updated: 09:55 
• 03rd May, 2024 03/05/2024

May Bank Holiday bus services 6 and 27 May 2024

• Status: Ongoing
• From:  06th May, 2024 06/05/24
• To:  28th May, 2024 28/05/24

West of England

First West Lothian introduces new ticketing options that reflect customers’ post-pandemic travel needs

• All Adult Zonal tickets will be frozen at 2019 rates
• New range of ticket options introduced to make bus travel easier across the network
• Some fare prices will rise with ticketing updates, but most customers will see better value and flexibility overall

First West Lothian is introducing a new range of ticketing options from 1 st May 2022, offering customers greater flexibility and value when they travel by bus.

The ticketing updates have been designed to reflect today’s post-pandemic travel needs following a detailed analysis of passenger and purchasing data. As a result, First West Lothian expects the new ticket options will help many customers save money.

The range of new tickets will enable customers to travel flexibly, over a number of days, taking journeys that suit their new work, travel, or caring patterns.

Among the new, better value fares are Mobile tickets which offer ‘3-in-7’ (from £8.30 student, £10 adult) and ‘10-in-28’ (from £26.50 student, £33 adult) journey options across First West Lothian’s zones. Available on the First Bus App, these tickets mean customers can spread a set number of journeys across seven and 28-day validity periods, enabling them to choose the appropriate ticket best suited to them and providing greater flexibility and value for money. First West Lothian will also continue to encourage customers to get the fairest fares, alongside its participation in the Scottish Government’s free travel scheme for Under 22’s.

The overhaul will not affect Adult Zonal bus tickets, which have been frozen at their 2019 rates, however some existing fares will increase by an average of 5.7%. With the newly designed flexible journey options suiting the swift rise of hybrid working and the end of the traditional five-day commute, locals are being offered journeys that more cost-effective compared to previous prices. Within the changes coming into effect, no fares in the area will increase by more than the current CPI inflation rate of 7%.

Duncan Cameron, Managing Director of First Bus Scotland said: “The new pricing creates a simpler, fairer and more flexible choice of tickets. So whether you only travel on weekends, or are a ‘new normal’ commuter, our new tickets options reflect today’s real-world travel.

“These changes are essential to allow us to continue to operate the highest level of service possible for our customers. We have worked hard to keep any fare increases to a minimum – ensuring that no increase surpasses Consumer Price Inflation - and continue to offer customers the cheapest fares via the First Bus App.

“There’s never been a better time to make bus travel part of your everyday routine and we hope that with these changes, we’ll see more of West Lothian choose bus over car as their preferred mode of travel in the region, benefitting both the environment and their pockets.”

More information can be found at firstscotlandeast.com/fares

Notes to editors

About First Bus

First Bus is one of the UK’s largest bus operators. Making journeys easier for our customers, we were the first national bus operator to accept contactless card payments across all of our services and our First Bus App is voted ‘best in class’ amongst UK bus operators. Our most recent investments are in new, state-of-the-art buses across our key networks.

We work proactively with our local authority partners, making a positive impact on air quality, tackling congestion and improving customer experience. We are focused on First Bus becoming a leader in the transition to a low-carbon future and are committed to operating a zero-emission bus fleet by 2035; we have pledged not to purchase any new diesel buses after December 2022. We also operate the Aircoach network in Ireland.

First Bus is a division of FirstGroup.

First Bus is an equal opportunity employer

First Bus is an excellent place to work with opportunities for a rewarding career. 

We are committed to equality of opportunity, diversity and inclusion. We believe diverse experiences and attitudes help us better understand the needs of our customers.

We are working to increase the number of females applying for bus driver roles within the business as we do believe businesses are more likely to have continued success if our bus companies reflect the communities that they serve.

For more information on First Bus: news-scot.firstbus.co.uk

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Arrival and First Bus confirm the start of zero emission bus trials

22 Feb 2021

The new partnership comes just seven months after First Bus announced their commitment to purchase no diesel buses after 2022 and to operate a fully zero-emission fleet by 2035.

First Bus already plays a leading role in the operation of low or zero-emission vehicles, with electric buses in Leeds, Glasgow, the country’s biggest electric Park&Ride fleet in York and a 99 strong fleet of biomethane buses in Bristol. Last month, the company also introduced the world’s first hydrogen powered double decker fleet in Aberdeen. Arrival unveiled its electric bus last June, creating a new and improved public transportation experience for all users – from the drivers and passengers to the engineers, cleaners and fleet owners – and reducing operating costs for operators, making the transition to electric vehicles more economically viable. The initial trial vehicle configurations will be a combination of familiar requirements and new innovative features, which will be activated throughout the trial and made possible by Arrival’s smart connected hardware and end-to-end fleet management solutions.

The single-deck Arrival Bus features a single front door with a passenger seating capacity of 36 across the entire flat floor, allowing greater accessibility, as well as more usable standing space and ability for passengers to travel more comfortably. It is equipped with up to 310.8 kWh of energy storage capacity with the option of both an AC and DC charge. The Arrival bus has been developed to not only have common suspension front and rear, but common wheels and tyres – estimating the bus to be up to 40% lighter than other battery-electric buses in the market today.

Arrival’s vertically integrated approach allows it to develop innovation at pace without the constraints of waiting for technology progression in the supply chain. This enables a best-in-class product, with a superior Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) than both fossil fuel and electric vehicles currently on the market.

Janette Bell, Managing Director of First Bus said: “As leaders in sustainable mobility, we’re excited to announce our partnership with Arrival, helping us bring some of the most innovative zero emission vehicles on the market onto the UK’s streets for our customers and partners. We’re proud to be the first operator in the UK to trial Arrival’s electric buses and look forward to working together to accelerate the transition to zero emissions in our sector. Their ground-breaking technology is also expected to allow for improved customer service, and we’re looking forward to seeing how customers react to the new buses when they’re trialled later this year.”

“Today is an important day in the transition to a more sustainable, user focused transportation ecosystem and we are thrilled to be partnering with First Bus on this trial and for people to experience the Arrival Bus on public roads,” said Avinash Rugoobur, President of Arrival. “Cities around the world are pledging their commitment to a zero-emission transportation future and Arrival is providing them with the ideal product to help them achieve that in the Arrival Bus. We are working in partnership with operators and cities globally to support improvements to public transportation networks whilst creating vehicles that can be tailored to local needs.”

The announcement comes in the year UN Climate Change conference COP26 will be hosted in Glasgow.

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First Bus 4+

Bus times app, buy mtickets, firstgroup plc.

• #45 in Travel
• 4.6 • 133.5K Ratings

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Plan a journey, buy a great value mobile ticket (mTicket) or find where your bus is with live bus times – you can do all this and more with the First Bus App, making bus travel even easier. PLAN YOUR JOURNEY With our door to door route planner you can check your quickest route to work or plan a new adventure and help you to get around at the weekend. Just enter a destination to view your route options and we’ll show you which of our bus services can get you there with step-by-step instructions. CHECK LIVE BUS TIMES The First Bus App is the best way to get live bus times and route information. You can save your favourite stops, routes and locations and revisit recently searched journeys. The map shows the bus stops nearby where you can see live updates to check where and when your bus is coming letting you head to your bus stop just before your bus is due. BUY YOUR MOBILE TICKET (MTICKET) You can buy your great value bus ticket on the First Bus App before you travel so with mTickets there’s no need to carry cash or worry about having the right change. Some of our tickets are cheaper on the app so get it downloaded for our best bus ticket prices. Payments are secure and there’s a handy ‘buy again’ button with one-tap checkout making repeat purchases even quicker and easier to do. The app also features: • Tickets for Heathrow RailAir, Buses of Somerset and First Kernow. • Payments via Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, Google Pay and Apple Pay. • The ability to gift tickets to a child or young person.

Version 5.8.2

• Bugs fixes and performance improvements

Ratings and Reviews

133.5K Ratings

Get a 7 year old to show you how to use it

Every bus has a transponder and the app has a real time transponder map showing the exact position of ever bus on your route. Little busses moving along on the map so cute. I got a 7 year old to show me how to use it. Actually she might not have been 7 cos she worked at the hospital. I digress. Once you know how to use it it’s BRILLIANT. But if you feel 92 and you haven’t got a 7 year old hospital worker to help you it’s a weee bit confusing. For instance why do you have to tap on directions to see the timetablely thing and when you want to toggle between the real time transponder map and the timetablely thing you can’t just go BACK you have to go BACK BACK. And why doesn’t the bus search for the real time transponder map know where I am. For example I live in the South West and when I type in 7 for the number 7 bus it suggests every number 7 in the known universe starting with the Outer Hebrides. Actually it might not be the Outer Hebrides, but it definitely wasn’t within 300 miles. Having said all this the real time transponder map is awesome you can see all the naughty busses bunching up in threes 30 minutes away. Sometimes when there are road works you can see them go off route. Little mind blown!!

First Bus First Class Drivers

Your cheerful, polite & extremely helpful drivers have literally given me my life back. I’m a 65 yr old lady who used to drive & was independent until 2017 when an accident left me with limited mobility. Since that time I have been dependent on a husband who hates shopping to take me, but the nearest supermarket was his limit & then with no time to browse. Then one day I decided to try getting on the bus that runs through the village to town using my powerchair, since that day I have not looked back & I now regularly get the bus to Truro which is some 20 miles away & I plan to travel to other towns in West Cornwall over the coming months. Your drivers are always beyond helpful assisting me to get on the bus using the ramp & this has given me my confidence back & in turn my independence, so a huge thank you to all the drivers who work in the Helston, Truro & Penzance area for your patience & help, I will always be indebted to you.

Really bad app, lots of improvements needed

This app is really bad. There is a planning section to identify which bus you need but this does not link with an option to buy a ticket for that journey. Instead, you need to head to the ticket section, select an area and guess which ticket is valid for that journey. I find this very confusing and have witnessed people being told they chose the wrong ticket. The tickets are terrible. They need to be activated and then used within 10 minutes of activation, why? There is no need for this. You should be able to buy a ticket and scan it without having to activate it. Buses are usually overcrowded due to delays and cancellations so it happens regularly that people activate their tickets when the bus arrives to the bus stop but then are denied boarding because the bus is full. Because of this, some people don’t activate their tickets until they are on the bus which causes more delays. Another rubbish feature of this app is that when you scan your ticket on the bus it does not reflect this on the app. The countdown for the 10 minutes to use the ticket continues and there is no acknowledgement that you have used that ticket or what bus you used it for. One final thought, why are there so many irrelevant reviews in here? The reviews are meant to be about the app, not about the service.

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20+ Things to Know Before You Travel By Bus in the USA

February 21, 2018 by Karen Turner 10 Comments

I have many talents, but driving is not one of them. I’ve never been given a driver’s license, so I’ve been forced to travel by bus in the USA. Although it’s maybe not “cool” to travel by buses around the United States, taking Greyhound buses and Megabus is often a good cheap way to travel around the USA.

Keep reading for my recommendations for the bus companies in the United States, reviews of different bus companies in the US, what to know about bus travel in the United States, and what to bring on long bus trips in the United States.

• 1 Should you travel by bus in the US?
• 2.1 Greyhound
• 2.2 Megabus
• 2.3 BoltBus
• 2.4.1 Other Bus companies in the United States
• 3.0.1 The bus stations…
• 3.0.2 Finding the bus departure place may be harder than you realize!
• 3.0.3 You might get dropped off in the middle of nowhere
• 3.0.4 Avoid buses that depart or arrive late at night
• 3.0.5 Book in advance to get the best times and prices
• 3.0.6 Not every bus still has wifi… or working plugs
• 3.0.7 You need identification and often your bus ticket printed
• 3.0.8 Your bus ticket is typically non-refundable and for a specific time
• 3.0.9.1 Don’t drink too many liquids
• 3.0.10.1 Set an alarm
• 3.0.10.2 One suitcase and one backpack.  Keep your valuables with you.
• 3.0.11 Be early for the bus!
• 4.0.1 Be sure to bring antibacterial gel
• 4.0.2 Travel Pillow.
• 4.0.3 Backpack that will fit your valuables, including your laptop.
• 4.0.4 Your iPad and a season of shows lined up with some headphones.
• 4.0.5 Snacks.
• 4.0.6 Wear layers and bring a sweatshirt.
• 4.0.7 A good book and a reading light.
• 4.0.8 External Phone Battery Charger

Should you travel by bus in the US?

Yes, and no. If your trip around the United States is focused on city hopping, especially within one region (e.g. East Coast), traveling by bus in the United States is a good choice.. It’s often cheaper and easier not to have a car in big cities in the United States as parking can add up.  However, it depends a lot on the city as some cities have great public transportation system while others have terrible public transportation systems.

If you’re planning on focusing on the beautiful National Parks, you’re going to have difficulty getting around more rural areas of the US without a lot of money spent on taxis.  Some National Parks have better infrastructure in terms of getting there without a car (e.g. Yosemite), but many parks are quite rural and require extra time/money to get there without a car.  It might make sense to take a bus for some legs of your journey and do tours once you’re within a city.  This will be cheaper than all-inclusive options.

Bus travel in the United States is far more sustainable than traveling by car around the United States.  People love to write about road trips, but bus travel is way more eco-friendly!  Similarly, not everyone can afford a car or it doesn’t make sense to drive into another big city.

As a result, I think that travel by bus around the US can be a great option for those on a budget, anyone who’s into sustainable travel, and for those who don’t want to have to bother with driving in big American cities.

Bus travel in the United States is often not as advertised online in terms of wifi and on-board entertainment. Although many bus companies are interested in creating more premium experiences and improving the average bus experience, my experiences traveling by bus in the United States has been gritty and unglamorous. This has been the case for my husband too. ( What did you think you were getting when you paid $25 for a 8 hour bus across the country?)

Photo from Chicago, which was a 14+ hour bus ride

National bus companies in the United States

You’ll encounter a lot of bus companies in the United States although many are regional bus lines that I haven’t personally encountered. Most of the time, unless it’s a major American holiday, bus travel doesn’t require significant planning beyond a day or two in advance.  American buses tend to be cheaper if you book way in advance with a major company (e.g. Greyhound or Megabus) while regional bus rates tend to rise less closer to the dates.

Greyhound is the most ubiquitous bus company in the United States.  Among the bus companies, the opinions about Greyhound buses online  tends to be more favorable although most people I know who regularly take Greyhounds aren’t their biggest cheerleaders.  The coverage of Greyhound buses is good across the country and you can get across the United States on a Greyhound on the drop of a hat.

However, you will probably have numerous stop-offs in various cities, which can add some time.  However, it’s possible to get to Yosemite with a Greyhound, which is why if you’re traveling in the United States without a car.  It’s often best to buy Greyhound tickets at least two weeks in advance and they have special deals if you buy online.

It’s basically very hard to get a $1 fare on Megabus at this point, but you can get some good deals on Megabus if you book ahead.  I started taking Megabus when it got started.  At this point, Megabus tends to be standard and their concept is getting you there.  The demographic for Megabus is considerably younger than Greyhound and you’ll find a lot of students taking Megabus.

Megabus tend to be stricter about bag sizes although they more uniformly have working outlets on their buses.  Coverage for Megabus is best on the East Coast, Midwest, and between college towns in the United States. They also have some coverage on the West Coast.

My husband has sworn off Megabus after the wheels almost caught on fire and the driver told the passengers it wasn’t safe to continue.  He was forced to wait in the middle of nowhere waiting for a new bus to come pick them up.  A couple of other friends have similar stories although I generally take Megabus given the choice as I find people are a bit more considerate.

BoltBus is a “premium” bus company that runs on the East and West coast.  Their buses tend to be much newer and nicer than others that I’ve taken, however the routes are more limited to major cities on the coasts.  Their plugs tend to work much more reliably and recently, they started including movies in the price of the bus.

I’ve generally liked BoltBus and I wish that they would expand to more cities.  It’s my go-to choice for traveling from New York City to Washington DC.

Trailways Transportation System

Trailways is a network of 70+ regional bus companies in the United States that compromises the oldest bus network in the United States.  Their network crosses the United States and I’ve taken Trailways quite a few times.  I find their buses not as uniform as you’re likely to be switching companies as you switch state lines.  Most of my experience taking Trailways meant that I had long layovers in rural Pennsylvania at one particular transfer point.

For smaller cities with less coverage on the big names, I find that Trailways is more reliable in helping you find a route although it might add time to your journey.  It depends on the bus journey, however I find that Trailway buses tend to stop off a lot more although it makes the journey through the United States far more scenic as you’re often taking non-highway routes.

Other Bus companies in the United States

Photo by Denis Rozhnovsky/Bigstockphoto

There’s a ton more bus companies in the United States, including Vonlane (Texas), Fullington Trailways (New York/Pennsylvania), Utah Trailways (Utah), Burlington Trailways (Vermont), Jefferson Lines, Bieber Tours (Pennsylvania/New York), Barons Bus Lines (East Coast),  Adirondack Trailways (Canada/New York), RedCoach (Florida; premium bus), Capital Trailways (South/Alabama), Hoosier Transportation (Midwest/Iowa/Michigan/Kentucky), Indian Trails (Michigan), Peter Pan (East Coast), Orange Belt (California), etc. There’s a ton more.  If you’re not seeing a route to where you’re going, I recommend stopping by the bus station to see if there’s a bus heading that way on a regional line.

On the east coast and the west coast, you’ll also find Chinese bus companies that run between the Chinatowns or downtowns of major cities on the East Coast/West Coast.  The Chinese bus companies are often the cheapest option if you’re traveling to/from New York City or LA to a nearby major city.

Due to price, I often took the Chinese bus companies.  These bus rides went by without incident for me, but my cousin was stranded in the middle of nowhere after a bus broke down and the bus company wasn’t helpful at all.

Things to know about bus travel in the United States

The bus stations….

With the creation of the interstate highway system, buses in the United States stopped being as popular as they were before.  The bus infrastructure has suffered as a result.  Most bus stations tend to be on the dingier side and do not require a ticket to enter the bus station, so it’s best to be aware of your belongings.  Most bus stations in the United States tend to be located in the city center, which aren’t always in the best neighborhoods.

In the case of many of the “newer” bus lines (e.g. Megabus), their business model is about cutting out the bus station to pass on savings to consumers.  This means that their bus station may be a Walmart parking lot or simply a curb on a sidewalk.  As a result, you might be forced to wait outside for the bus and/or there may be no bus station for you to wait inside at.  Bring an umbrella if you think this might be the case.

Finding the bus departure place may be harder than you realize!

Often, bus terminals for Greyhound and other regional bus stations are well-established terminals in the city center.  However, for some of the newer bus companies, they have their buses designated in a large area.  You’re going to need an extra twenty minutes at minimum if you’re taking Megabus to find your bus if it’s departing from most major cities.

In New York, I’ve found that I need the extra time to walk past all the buses waiting to find the correct departure point. Similarly, when I took BoltBus out of DC, I had to spend a while searching for the one departing for NYC as there were more than five buses departing around the same time.

You might get dropped off in the middle of nowhere

Modern-day America has been built for cars.  For most major cities, you’ll be dropped of at the bus terminal, which can be far from the non-downtown parts of a city. I used to often take one route and the bus terminal was over three miles from the main downtown area, which can be tricky if you don’t have a car.

In one case, I was forced to take a taxi as it wasn’t possible to get from the bus terminal to my final destination (the airport) without it.  It’s good to check where the bus stop will be as you don’t want to need to take a taxi to get there.  Google Maps in my go-to source.

Avoid buses that depart or arrive late at night

Trust me on this one. A lot of cities have poor transportation after a certain hour (often eleven at night), and often bus terminals are in the heart of the city center.  Unlike European cities, many American city centers aren’t uniformly safe and I recommend using some caution if you’ll be walking around with all your valuables late at night.  Crime in America is an issue.

Book in advance to get the best times and prices

Many bus companies, especially Boltbus and Megabus, advertise low rates if you book as far in advance as possible.  I often take Megabus and wait to see when the tickets go on sale, so I can get one of the first tickets, which is typically less than $5.  If you wait too long, especially for holiday weekends, the prices will go up considerably.  That said, you’ll find a bus to your destination within a day or two if you simply head to the bus station on short notice.

Not every bus still has wifi… or working plugs

A good playlist is always a good idea. Photo by VadimGuzhva/bigstockphoto

Although many bus companies advertise that buses have wifi, the wifi on the bus is ridiculously slow, throttled for video, and unreliable.  I’ve been on countless buses where the wifi never worked because it didn’t have wifi, the wifi was broken, or there were too many people on it at once.

It’s become trendy to have outlets, but often, the outlets are somewhere really inconvenient or they don’t work.  A lot of people think initially that they’ll work on the bus, but I find that it’s not a conducive environment for working as the seat-tray makes it hard to fit a laptop in many cases.

This becomes especially true when others decide to lean their chair back.  I’ve been on buses where the outlets were above you in the “ceiling”, so unless you spend the whole bus ride holding your plug in the outlet, you will not be charging your electronics.  Some of the newer buses have improved upon this design and have easy-to-access plugs/usb ports.

You need identification and often your bus ticket printed

Typically, any photo identification will do, however the name needs to match the ticket. That means that you typically can’t use your friend’s ticket. If you’re a foreigner, I recommend having your passport on you.

Not all bus companies allow e-tickets, so I always print my ticket ahead as finding a good place to print my ticket isn’t always easy near the bus station.  Some bus companies are better about accepting e-tickets, so check the terms to see if it’s enough to have a ticket on your phone.

The real reason that I always print my ticket?  I need to have my phone charged enough for when I arrive.  As a result, I recommend having it printed, so you don’t need to worry about having your phone charged up for the next transfer or for when I arrive at the destination, particularly if it’s a long bus ride.  I often find myself playing on my phone, which can kill the battery.

Your bus ticket is typically non-refundable and for a specific time

Unless you pay extra for a refundable ticket, you’re often getting one for a specific time. Don’t miss your bus! Some bus companies allow you to change the ticket for the difference in ticket price in addition to a fee, but I’ve actually bought a ticket in most of those cases as it was cheaper than the change fee.

Oh, the people you’ll meet!

Dr. Seuss must have taken buses around the United States. While most of my bus trips have gone by without incidence, both my husband and I have some  memorable  bus travel stories as do most of my friends. Most people sleep, stare out the window, talk to friends on the phone, or chat with friends on the bus. Let’s be clear that most people you’ll encounter on the buses will be non-offensive, but as I have regularly taken regional buses through rural areas, you’re bound to meet some characters.

This following story is from my husband who took a twenty-four hour Greyhound bus from Pennsylvania to Kentucky via Ohio…

Over the Thanksgiving holiday, many students choose to take Greyhound home because it is so cheap.  You’re  not supposed to bring alcohol on the bus, however some people do.  This student had smuggled a bottle of peach flavored vodka on the bus.  He was hell-bent on talking to every girl on the bus and switched seats countless times.  He was drinking the vodka and kept offering it to the girls.  After they all rejected it and him, he sitting up next to me. There was a girl nearby from Hawaii who was heading to a friend’s house in Iowa to celebrate Thanksgiving.  The girl and the guy hit it off and get very drunk on the bus.  They start having a big make-out session, so the whole bus was just eavesdropping while some were openly watching them.   The issue was that it was night-time and they were being loud while everyone else on the bus was trying to sleep. The first leg took us to Columbus, which is a big switching point for buses.  I was heading south from there as was the guy.  The girl was heading further west from there. We get to Columbus and they decide that they’re in love .  The girl invites him to come to Iowa with her to her friend’s house and the guy actually switches his ticket to go to Iowa.  Sure enough, they left for Iowa together to her friend’s parents house. Imagine her friend’s reaction when she shows up hungover with this random guy she met on a Greyhound.

Don’t drink too many liquids

This is a newbie bus mistake.  It’s good to stay hydrated and I typically bring at least one bottle of water for longer journeys, however I generally avoid bus bathrooms.  More importantly: Some buses, especially regional ones for shorter legs, don’t have a bathroom on the bus.  Be sure to use the bathroom at the bus terminal before you leave!

It’s not a guarantee that your bus will stop off at a bus station or rest stop long enough for you to go inside.

For longer trips, keep in mind that the bus will probably stop off at a rest stop as they’re not allowed to drive over a certain number of hours without stopping.  It’s not a guarantee for shorter journeys that the bus will stop off at a rest station long enough for you get something to eat, so bring your own food/drinks ahead.

If it looks like you’ll have fifteen minutes waiting at a station for passengers, be sure to tell the bus driver that you’ll be back to ensure that the bus doesn’t leave without you.  There’s often a line for the restroom at rest stops.

Set an alarm

On long bus rides, you might fall asleep. That’s fine, however if your destination isn’t the final destination, you’ll want to set an alarm on your phone before the time that your bus is supposed to arrive.  There might be traffic, but in general, it’s a safe move.

One suitcase and one backpack.  Keep your valuables with you.

Remember that you’re NOT on a plane. Some bus companies are more lax about luggage, however if it’s a crowded bus or you’re traveling over major holiday, you might need to pay for an extra bag.  I also recommend avoiding having your stuff in bags if possible as I’ve seen people get rejected from boarding onto buses when carrying their belongings in plastic bags.

I tend to keep my valuables in my backpack rather than below the bus, especially if the bus has a lot of stop off points  I recommend labeling your bag clearly as it’s hard to find a black suitcase among 50 other black suitcases .  Weird size luggage might cause issues, so ask beforehand.

Typically at stops, people take their items from the hull, so unless you want your bag taken by mistake, it’s best to keep your valuables in your backpack with you on the bus.  I’ve never had a bag stolen or taken by mistake, but if it’s a long ride with a lot of stops, I recommend labeling your bag clearly and packing your backpack carefully.

Be early for the bus!

Although it hasn’t often happened, buses leave on time.  More often than not, they’ll wait a couple more minutes for passengers who are running a few minutes late, but I’ve seen so many people running after the bus without success.  You need time to get your luggage under the hold.  Certain bus companies, including Megabus, overbook their seats, so if you’re not there early and it’s a full bus, you might get rejected on the bus and need to wait for the next one.

What to bring on long bus trips in the United States

If you’re wondering what to pack for an overnight bus trip, I’m well-experienced in these long miserable journeys that I’ve done to save money.

Be sure to bring antibacterial gel

Some bus bathrooms are best avoided.  Similarly, the soap dispenser may not work. Be sure to have your own antibacterial gel to clean your hands with, especially if you plan on eating.

Travel Pillow.

This is the MOST important item that you’ll want to pack for an overnight bus trip as I struggle to sleep without a good travel pillow. I have this exact travel pillow and I love how small it folds up!

Backpack that will fit your valuables, including your laptop.

I recommend looking for a carry-on friendly sized backpack that can fit your backpack as well as most of your valuables, so that they’re close to you.

Your iPad and a season of shows lined up with some headphones.

This is definitely not a necessity, but if you’re going to have a lot of long bus trips, I recommend bringing an iPad , so you can watch movies on the bus.  Download your shows before you leave wifi!

I recommend not buying your snacks at the bus station if possible as the prices tend to be a lot higher and the selection isn’t as good as going to the supermarket! Avoid peanuts as some people are really allergic.   I really like to carry granola bars with me as they’re hard to smoosh and non-messy.

Wear layers and bring a sweatshirt.

You never know when the bus will be too warm or too cold, so I always try to bring a sweatshirt to put on over my clothes in case I get cold! I recommend dressing comfy and you’ll be sitting for many hours.

A good book and a reading light.

For night buses, the driver typically shuts off the lights after a certain time. Although there’s a reading light from above, I’m often very conscious of it annoying the people around me.  Instead, I usually bring my own reading light as well as a good book.  For a good read, I recommend Night Film (which will take you many hours to finish), the Power , or On the Road for some American travel inspiration.

External Phone Battery Charger

You never know when there won’t be a working charger on the bus and you might need to make a phone call. Don’t let your phone die and carry an external phone battery charger .

Have you traveled by bus in the United States? Anything you’d add?

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About Karen Turner

New Yorker–born and raised. Currently living in the Hague, the Netherlands after stints in Paris and Amsterdam. Lover of travel, adventure, nature, city, dresses, and cats.

Reader Interactions

February 24, 2018 at 12:47 am

Wow, I live in the US and I have never even considered bus travel (excluding taking the Megabus very occasionally from San Francisco to LA). That’s such a cool way to travel the country, and I will definitely have to consider it in the future! Thanks for sharing all these helpful tips.

February 24, 2018 at 3:12 am

The US is so spread out that it’s difficult to see a lot of it without access to a car. Bus is often the only option for many travelers. I’ve never traveled long distance by bus in the US, but I’ve heard they’re pretty unpleasant.

February 24, 2018 at 4:09 am

I haven’t been to the US of A but everyone has always told me that if you want to move around, you need a car. That is the only way to travel unless you consider flights which can get expensive. I was pleasantly surprised to know that the bus routes are usable.

February 24, 2018 at 1:01 pm

Super comprehensive and useful guide! I felt I’ve learned a lot about the buses in U.S just from this post. The reading light is a great suggestion – I’m gonna consider that the next time I fret over bringing a book on trips! Same like you, I feel conscious that the overhead light will be disturbing to my neighbour 😉

February 24, 2018 at 2:03 pm

I went to college in DC so def took the fung wa chinatown bus many times! I did have a greyhound driver once say (at a rest stop) “I dont count heads, I just count time” meaning he was rolling out at the designated time with or without you! I think now at age 40, I’ve graduated from Bus travel.

February 24, 2018 at 2:32 pm

I’ve only ever taken the bus between NY and Baltimore (China Bus). I’m laughing at the Dr. Suess comment and the need for hand santizer!!! LOL

September 17, 2018 at 5:18 pm

thanks so much, gonna do it now in advance! from the Uk to AmericaU here I come !!!

May 12, 2019 at 5:00 am

Don’t use Greyhound bus.. Many of the buses are unsafe, employees for the most part are rude worst of all is the huge amount of lost luggage. Its piled in s warehouse in Dallas I think, and you will never see it again. Mine was lost last summer and none will help me get it back. Travel Greyhound at your own risk.

May 20, 2019 at 2:37 pm

The buses are affordable but the catch is, IF YOU CANCEL YOUR TRIP, ITS ‘ZERO’ REFUND! However, they can reschedule you at no cost. So, think well and be sure before you book!!

July 11, 2023 at 7:01 pm

Tip for sleeping on busses

If you are fortunate enough to have 2 seats to yourself push back your seat to the limit. Then leave the other seat in upright position. You can then test your Head on the other seatback. About as comfortable as it gets on a bus

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The next scheduled start date for tickets is Monday 27th May 2024. Travel Plan Office need the completed application by Monday 13th May 2024. Please note First Bus increased annual ticket prices from 31st March 2024.

First Bus withdrew annual paper ticket options September 2023.

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• Please provide provide name, email address and mobile number on the application submitted to Travel Plan Office
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Visit First Commuter Travel Club and follow the easy steps to register.

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Public Transport – Flexible ticket options

For staff who do not wish to opt for a public transport annual ticket, there are other options available. 

A wide range of public transport season tickets are available from First Glasgow, McGill’s, ScotRail, SPT Subway, Stagecoach West & West Coast Motors. The majority of transport operators provide more ticket options and discounts via their apps. First Glasgow also offer NHSGGC staff 20% discount on 4 weekly ticket and ticket bundles via their Commuter Travel Club. For more information on the range of tickets offered, please click the appropriate link below.

Glasgow Tripper Ticket provides travel on First Glasgow, Glasgow Citybus, McGill’s, Stagecoach West and Whitelaws for one day, one week or for ticket bundles. Glasgow Tripper tickets are also available via the First Glasgow, McGill’s and West Coast Motors ticket apps.

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Train strikes in May 2024: Full list of dates and lines affected this week

Rail lines are set for disruption in the week following the first May bank holiday as train drivers at 16 rail companies strike on different days.

Tuesday 7 May 2024 16:00, UK

Train drivers will stage a fresh wave of strikes and overtime bans this week, causing disruption to the rail network.

The strikes are part of a long-running dispute over pay.

Members of Aslef union at 16 rail companies will walk out on different days from 7 to 9 May.

Additionally, all members will refuse to work any overtime from 6 May to 11 May.

Here is a full list of the services affected by strikes and when.

Rail strike dates

Tuesday 7 May

Strikes will affect c2c, Greater Anglia, GTR Great Northern Thameslink, Southeastern, Southern, Gatwick Express and South Western Railway.

Wednesday 8 May

Strikes will affect Avanti West Coast, London Northwestern Railway, Chiltern Railways, CrossCountry, East Midlands Railway, Great Western Railway and West Midlands Trains.

Thursday 9 May

Strikes will affect LNER, Northern Trains and TransPennine Express.

Overtime ban dates

From Monday 6 May to Saturday 11 May union members will not work overtime.

Overtime bans, an action short of a strike, means some services may not be running or may be reduced as drivers refuse to work their rest days.

People are advised to check before they travel, as some areas may have no service.

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How do strikes and overtime bans affect services?

Strikes tend to mean services on lines where members are participating are extremely affected or cancelled entirely, whereas overtime bans often lead to reduced services.

Are there strikes on the Tube too?

There have been regular strikes on London Underground too recently, and while there aren't any planned walkouts for drivers, customer service managers refused to work overtime between 29 April and 5 May.

This action followed strike action taken by the same workers on 10 April, which the TSSA union said had a "real impact" with "many stations shut at short notice" - something TfL denies, saying instead that the action "closed a handful of stations", with most closures "not lasting the whole day".

The TSSA says it is "extremely concerned" about TfL's 'Stations Changes' proposals.

"We have made it clear that our union will not accept the continued threats to our members' roles, locations, terms, and conditions to stand unchallenged," a TSSA spokesperson said.

"We will continue to take sustained action until London Underground is prepared to negotiate with us in good faith."

A TfL spokesperson responded: "We are disappointed that TSSA is continuing with this dispute following a consultation process. While the action did not cause significant disruption, we urge TSSA to continue to work with us to help find a resolution. There are no planned job losses as part of these vital changes which will improve the service we provide to customers at our stations."

How can I stay in the loop?

You can use the National Rail's journey planner to see when trains are running.

Be sure to check it close to when you plan to travel, as it will be updated regularly.

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Why are the strikes still happening?

Aslef rejected a two-year offer of 4% in 2022 and another 4% this year, saying it is way below inflation, and is linked to changes in terms and conditions.

Aslef said train drivers have not had an increase in salary for five years, since their last pay deals expired in 2019.

The union said after its members voted overwhelmingly in February to continue taking industrial action, it asked the train operating companies to hold talks.

General secretary Mick Whelan said the year-old pay offer of 4% and another 4% was "dead in the water".

Related Topics

• London Underground
• Rail strikes

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