BoltBus is one of the new strategies that has been deployed by Greyhound to take advantage of increasing US demand for regional bus services, writes Amanda Vermeulen .
The joint venture with Peter Pan Bus Lines was launched in March 2008 and operates services on the US north-eastern seaboard, targeting – among others – the thousands of students who attend Ivy League and other universities scattered across the region.
The low-cost model attracts customers by its buses equipped with greater legroom, power outlets for laptops and free wi-fi connections.
BoltBus was launched to compete with the Chinatown bus carriers and Megabus, a subsidiary of UK-listed Stagecoach.
FirstGroup said BoltBus reached break-even within three months and it was reporting revenues of more than $1m (£557,000) a month. FirstGroup said the success of the line, which comprises 33 vehicles running between New York, Washington, Boston and Philadelphia, had encouraged management to consider extending it to fresh destinations.
