Better Than High Speed Rail

Cheap, affordable, high speed rail only cost billions of tax dollars to build but then there are the endless subsidies needed to make them preferable to flying or driving. Maybe someone should let the Obama administration in on the idea of Megabus. A subsidiary of Coach USA, Megabus was launched 2006 and is one of the largest intercity express bus service providers in North America. No, this is not a Greyhound from yesteryear. It's equipped with restrooms, free power outlets and free wifi. The question you ask, is how affordable is Megabus? A one way ticket from Toledo to Pittsburgh would set you back $8. and take 4 hours and 15 minutes. Now compare it to Amtrak in its busy Boston to Baltimore corridor. This is where Amtrak does the bulk of its business so the prices should be very competitive. The cost of an Amtrak fare is $266. for the express train (add $120. for a first class upgrade) and $94 for the Northeast regional (plus $47. for first class). The express travel time is 5 hours and 57 minutes while the Northeast Regional takes 6 hours and 51 minutes. Megabus costs $31. and makes the trip in 7 hours and 41 minutes.

True, Megabus still has somewhat limited service. Not all major cities are accessible, but it is here today and if you must use mass transportation it's a better buy than high speed rail will ever be.