DC -> NYC Bus Stops Move From 9th & H St NW

If you can’t make it to Union Station to catch a bus, you probably don’t need to be making a trip to NYC.

Going to Union Station to ride a safer and well maintained bus is much better than taking a bus from a gypsy company especially when the driver can’t fully speak English.

Daniel, what does that even mean? Here’s a scenario for you: You live on the orange line. You want to catch an early bus to New York (if that’s OK with you…). A month ago, you could have caught the first train into Metro Center and gotten on a 7:30 Mega to NYC. Now, because of the move to Union Station, you’re stuck pushing back to the 8:30, transferring Metro trains or walking a mile or two to get to Union Station. The new stops are less convenient for a LOT of people. Maybe in your world everything is just peachy, but I’m sure that’s a lonely world to inhabit if your attitude is as sour as it seems.

Or take the NY2DC bus fr Union Station or its other locations!

To me these were my lifeline back home to NYC and they were PQ buses. Accessible by all metro lines and many bus lines. I do not understand why local politicians, the Bid couldn’t find another spot in PQ, metro center for the buses to pick up and discharge passengers. why can the Chinatown buses set up shop and pick up and discharge all over Chinatown. Why couldn’t Bolt and Megabus set up a small storefront in Chinatown. I found out when I was going to set up reservations. People who already bought tickets were stuck.
I don’t think any of this was handled well.

By the time you got the whole way to Union Station, might as well just get on the train

Union Station is renovating the bus terminal attached to it and it provides a safe and weather proof waiting area especially if the bus is late, while curbside pick ups and drop offs are convenient it lacks the formality and convention of a real station where riders can access the subway, taxis, public restrooms, and food. The whole reason bus station were created was a result of the chaos on the streets of NYC in the late ’40s which is how the Port Authority came into existence. The curbside operators don’t offer any refunds or guarantees if they oversell the bus or it breaks down on the road somewhere. DC2NY, Vamoose, and Washington Deluxe maybe more reputable than the Chinese carriers, but I’ve gotten stuck in Delaware before due to flat tires, breakdowns….not fun. At least Bolt and Megabus have large, well maintained fleets.

I’ve driven by the new Megasbus site a few times this weekend. Each time there has been atleast 4 bus in the parking lot. This intracity busing business has exploded recently. More companies have entered the market and they are offering more routes than just DC->NYC. Megasbus now has service from DC to 14 other cities including Knoxville, Charlotte, Pittsburgh, Toronto, etc… Given the volume of growth the buses really need dedicated space rather than imposing on our downtown streets to be their free depot.

The bus parking in Union Station garage is not high enough for the double decker buses so they are restricted to a few spots in the front of the garage. This means they must enter/exit from the front of Union Station which is a traffic hassle. I happened upon the Megabus management as they were scoping out a new location and they told me that DC would no longer allow them to load on the streets. Hence they were looking for parking lot locations only.

This past weekend I rode the Megabus from Knoxville to DC and back. I had previously ridden it when the stop was in Chinatown. While I like the amenities that Union Station offers (after hiking the six or so blocks there) I perferred to BOARD the return bus in Chinatown. We take the 9 PM (and starting in April it will be 11 PM) bus out of DC. That is one scary parking lot to stand in, in the the dark, waiting on the bus, with NO megabus employees (one was there for 2 minutes and then dissappeared) At times there were no buses or megabus staff in the lot. Just a few passengers, huddled in the middle of the semi-dark lot. The 8 foot chain link fence with rolled razor wire around the top was the first warning sign. Megabus putting in a NIGHT shuttle only (yeah, walk to Union Station in the day light, but after Dark they will shuttle you, but the shuttle driver drops you off and leaves, but at least it gets you inside the fence). The last big clue (besides the activity and noises coming from the apartments/projects next to the lot) was when the cops showed up. First cop car pulls into the lot with blue lights on(no siren) and parks in the back corner of the lot. Just sits there, never gets out of his car. Keeps his headlights pointed at the passengers waiting and keeps his blue lights on so that it is obvious he is there and keeping an eye on us. Then 15 minutes later a second DC police car shows up and does the same thing a few yards further down the lot. While it was somewhat comforting that they were keeping an eye on us, it was very disturbing that it was necessary. I assume Megabus was paying for this security but what if they don’t show up???? like the megabus “staff” guy that works that lot. He NEVER stays at his post, disappears in the evenings and leaves the passengers to fend for themselves…. he is the same guy that was supposed to work the Chinatown lot too, he is worthless, I have complained to megabus about him, they seem unconcerned. Wasn’t a big deal in Chinatown, but in the lot they are in now, well, he should be there all the time. I have already bought tickets for 3 more trips, guess since I can not get my money back, I may go ahead and go. But if they do not move that stop I will not be buying anymore tickets. Having people stand there at night is very dangerous and RIDICULOUS.

I don’t want the stinking buses in my neighborhood. K Street has become loaded with unwanted traffic and noise when I’m trying to sleep. The buses can’t even make the turn out into K street. Megabus please leave soon. The temporary location is a residental area that doesn’t need that addition.

Who decided this? The bus companies?
The owner of the parking lot?
Was it DC’s new mayor?

It’s sad. This lot was perfectly located near metro center with places to get coffee in quick walking distance. It was safe being in a well lit area.
Moving the bus pick up location will only cause confusion, and traffic.