A new bus service between Washington and New York City advertises fares as low as $1.
BoltBus, a division of Greyhound Lines of Dallas, sells seats through a unique online-auction system that adjusts ticket prices according to supply and demand.
The earlier a ticket is purchased, the lower the fare will be. BoltBus recommends customers place their orders two weeks in advance for the cheapest seats. A 50-cent booking fee is applied to each reservation.
The Washington Times was able to purchase a round-trip ticket from BoltBus for $2.50 for travel on March 27, the bus line’s first scheduled day of service. The lowest other bus fares available for the same date was $35, offered by five competing bus lines.
“I think it’s essentially a marketing strategy,” said Jimmy Chen, president of GotoBus.com, an online ticketing source for bus travelers.
Mr. Chen said he suspects BoltBus will limit the number of $1 tickets it sells, in order to put pressure on customers to book early.
BoltBus’ online customers are guaranteed a seat until five minutes before departure, when open seats will be sold to standby passengers.
Customers who expect to hitch a ride five minutes before the bus leaves will pay full price for a seat, according to BoltBus spokesman Dustin Clark.
Full price will be based on the going rate in the District and New York, and the price will fluctuate with the market, Mr. Clark said.
“Right now I believe the top end is about $25,” he said.
BoltBus service will depart from 11th and G streets Northwest near Metro Center eight times a day and arrive near Penn Station in mid-Manhattan and at Sixth Avenue and Canal Street in lower Manhattan.
In addition to cheap fares, BoltBus offers free wireless Internet access, power outlets and leather seats on select coaches.
DC2NY, a competing bus service, also offers wireless Internet in addition to free water.
Unlike its competitors, BoltBus offers a frequent-rider program. Passengers who take eight trips on BoltBus are eligible for a free one-way ticket for use at any time. The free tickets are not transferable, and members can lose points and trips if their accounts are inactive for 18 months.
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