In America the bus - the second most important means of transportation since the airplane. And in many parts of the first. Furthermore, unlike Europe, the ocean is the cheapest form of transport.
People from the secured sections of American society prefer to travel mostly by plane, even for short distances. Relative low cost air fares quite this helps. Thus, in the bus are basically the least affluent Americans. Visible and the racial imbalance - the percentage of whites in the buses are usually considerably less than the percentage of whites in society in general.
In the U.S. there are dozens of bus companies, but almost all of them, with rare exceptions, only work in any one region. Extensive network throughout the United States has only one company - Greyhound. In fact, it tied up all the long haul.
Greyhound has partnerships with many other firms. In many cases, shared calendar. Having bought a ticket on a bus in Greyhound, you can eventually make a trip (or part thereof) on the other bus companies operating in the region. This system is very similar to the practice of code-sheringa airlines.
Either way, it makes sense to apply it to the Greyhound, especially if you have in mind a long journey. Almost always, this company will own the majority of buses on the line between the two cities.
In areas with high population density, for example, in the Northeast or the Great Lakes region, the frequency of departure of buses is quite high. For example, from Washington to New York City buses leave every hour and sometimes every half hour. This is especially true of short trips, which last up to four or five hours. With the increase in the frequency range Buses falls. The greater the distance, the more passengers prefer the cheaper flight, but the tedious bus. For example, from New York to Los Angeles runs four direct buses a day in Chicago and Montreal - six buses.
By the way, a direct flight from the bus does not mean that you will make the whole journey on the same machine. In the long-haul flights and bus drivers will from time to time, and sometimes will use buses to another company.
Journey time of buses of different flights differ from each other - sometimes very significantly. Ask you to pick up the flight with the fewest intermediate stops - the price in any case is the same.
Capacity buses reaches 55. All buses charter are equipped with drop-chairs, air conditioning and a toilet at the end of the cabin. In addition, on long journeys the bus makes hourly stops on the bus or just a roadside cafe, that passengers can have a meal. Where possible, these stops are made during the normal time for lunch or dinner.
Planting usually begins in a bus for 15-30 minutes before departure. But at the bus station should come even earlier, as the Greyhound uses a rather strange system in which the purchase of a ticket does not mean a guaranteed place in the bus. In any case, the sooner you come to the bus, the more chances you have to take a place convenient for you (in place of the ticket is not listed, and have to sit down on those that are free at the time of your entry into the bus). However, in cases where it is expected many passengers, the driver may ask to land in accordance with the order of purchase of tickets. There are times when a bus packed to capacity - then have to wait for the next. In exceptional cases, the company can put down an additional bus.
Each passenger can take the bus two bags, if they are placed on top of a luggage shelf in the cabin or under the seat. In addition, two bags are free to put in luggage. For additional baggage must pay extra $ 15 per item. Register baggage carried in the bus station before boarding the bus. If you are traveling with a transfer, baggage will be registered only to the point of transfer. At the next bus will have to register again.