Megabus started its discount intercity bus service in Richmond yesterday and already more than doubled its operations.
The express bus company is running seven daily departures from Richmond, up from the planned three daily departures from its arrival-and-departure location on Richmond's East Main Street opposite Main Street Station.
"It's crazy, the amount of money you save," said Wes Queen, a Virginia Union University student boarding the bright blue and yellow Megabus on Wednesday.
Instead of a $67 ticket home on Greyhound, the Philadelphian paid $5. "I booked this morning," Queen said. "I got my ticket on the computer."
From Richmond, Megabus customers can travel directly to Washington, Hampton, Baltimore, Philadelphia, and Durham and Charlotte, N.C.
They ride on the modern buses with the Wi-Fi service and power outlets appreciated by young, tech-savvy riders, Megabus' prime target market.
A couple of glitches popped up in Richmond's inaugural runs Wednesday.
Megabus.com's website was frequently blocked Wednesday by people trying to take advantage of the company's promotions and make reservations, company officials said. Megabus is giving away 200,000 seats free for travel between Jan. 12 and March 1.
And in Richmond, a parked car blocked the bus lane between Main and Cary streets at the Cathedral Walk in Shockoe Bottom, forcing one Megabus to back out onto Main as company and city officials stopped traffic.
The buses had healthy loads yesterday, Megabus officials said.
The 1:50 p.m. coach to Washington boarded at least 31 passengers, for example. The bus seats 56 passengers.
That kind of acceptance has implications for the region's efforts to develop the Southeast High Speed Rail Corridor through Richmond, said city transportation planner Viktoria Badger.
"We can show the need for rail service," she said, through the parallel demand for Megabus' services.
The low-fare company now serves more than 50 cities in northeastern United States and Canada.
Megabus fares start at $1, but prices increase as the travel date gets closer. Fares also vary by trip and demand for seats, the company said.
"People think the dollar fare is a gimmick," said Mike Alvich, vice president for marketing with Coach USA, Megabus' parent company. "It's always there — just book 45 days out."
The company charges a 50-cent fee on reservations to cover bank and administration charges.
Megabus' top Richmond-Washington fare is $15, said Edward Hodgson, Coach USA's director of Megabus operations. "I can't see it ever going beyond $25."
Customers pay only by credit card, and reservations can be made only from Megabus' website.
University of Richmond student Andrew Bouriat forgot to print out his ticket. Standing in the cold next to the Megabus coach, he logged onto his laptop, called up his reservation and showed the computer screen to the driver.
"Close call," Bouriat said, and boarded the bus.
pbacque@timesdispatch.com
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