Reinvention of bus travel in a down economy leads to 4 millionth customer

NEW YORK, Nov. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- A survey by megabus.com found that 92 percent of megabus.com customers chose bus travel over other forms of transportation to save money. An ongoing increase in the popularity of bus travel has helped megabus.com to recently serve its four millionth customer.

After launching the first intercity bus service with fares as low as $1 in April 2006, it took two years for megabus.com to reach one million customers. However, with the decline of the economy, megabus.com's introduction of double-decker buses and service expanded to 28 cities, the company sold its most recent one million tickets in only five months.

Not only are travelers switching to low-cost, express bus services such as megabus.com to save money, 83 percent say the low fares have allowed for them to travel more frequently, according to the survey.

"Megabus.com's service allows people the chance to vacation, visit family and friends or travel to business meetings without worrying about the cost," said Dale Moser, president and COO of megabus.com. "The rapid increase in our ticket sales and our quick climb to four million customers is clear evidence that travelers are and will continue to look for more affordable travel options."

Among the 92 percent who use megabus.com instead of other forms of transportation, 67 percent use megabus.com instead of driving themselves, 43 percent take the bus instead of the train and 33 percent take the bus instead of flying, the survey found.

An online survey of megabus.com customers was conducted by Hanser & Associates from Oct. 12 to Nov. 3 and had 1,058 respondents resulting in a 3 percent margin of error, plus or minus.

In addition to $1 fares, megabus.com has added other amenities to update the quality and comfort of intercity bus travel including, free Wi-Fi, double-decker buses and power outlets on select routes.

Megabus.com currently serves 17 Midwest cities and 11 Northeast cities. Visit www.megabus.com for additional information about the service, schedules and fares.

About megabus.com

Megabus.com is the first intercity, express bus line dedicated to bringing high-quality, low-cost travel options to 17 Midwest cities and 11 Northeast cities for as low as $1 via the Internet. Service for megabus.com operates daily. Fares shown are one-way and include all government taxes. Since its launch on April 10, 2006, megabus.com has served four million travelers. Northeast cities served by megabus.com include: Albany, Atlantic City, Baltimore, Boston, Buffalo, New York, Philadelphia, Rochester, Syracuse, Toronto and Washington D.C. Midwest cities served by megabus.com include: Ann Arbor, Bloomington-Normal, Chicago, Champaign, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbia, Columbus, Detroit, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Madison, Memphis, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, St. Louis and Toledo. Visit www.megabus.com for additional service routes to and from the listed cities.

Chicago-based megabus.com is a subsidiary of Coach USA. Paramus, N.J.-based Coach USA owns and operates more than 20 local companies in North America, some that have been in business for more than 35 years, which operate scheduled bus routes, motor coach tours, charters and sightseeing tours.

Link to Photos :

http://www.hanser.com/2009/news/northeast-photos/

SOURCE megabus.com

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