greyhound lines USA

...just any old bus. The Greyhound Bus . The Iconic mode of travel known the world over.
In my life, me and The Greyhound have spent many hours together, and covered a few thousand miles. So hopefully I will be able to share the experience with you.
First a little bit of history.

History
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Like most american stories, this one started with two men.
Carl Wickman started a service in 1914 transporting ...
...and mergers until in 1926 Greyhound Lines was formed out of the conglomerate of smaller companies. With Wickman as President, he continued his push for a national network of services.

And by 1927 they had they had the first transcontinetal service from California to New York.This also marked the forming of the National Trailways Bus System, a national body that supervised the huge number of smaller bus companies . Up till this point ... more

Following on from my Amtrak review (america from 20ft) part of our mammoth journey was undertaken by bus. Not just any old bus. The Greyhound Bus . The Iconic mode of travel known the world over.
In my life, me and The Greyhound have spent many hours together, and covered a few thousand miles. So hopefully I will be able to share the experience with you.
First a little bit of history.

History
---------
Like most american stories, this one started with two men.
Carl Wickman started a service in 1914 transporting Miners in Hibbing, Minnesota. He charged 15cents a ride to the iron ore mines in Alice.

In 1915 he joined forces with Ralph Bogan, and they formed the Mesaba Transportation Company.
Together they expanded thier services through alliances and mergers until in 1926 Greyhound Lines was formed out of the conglomerate of smaller companies. With Wickman as President, he continued his push for a national network of services.

And by 1927 they had they had the first transcontinetal service from California to New York.This also marked the forming of the National Trailways Bus System, a national body that supervised the huge number of smaller bus companies . Up till this point they were supported by a number of railroad companies, but as they saw the threat of the growing bus network they sold thier shareholdings, and by the time of the great depression Greyhound were over $1 millon in debt.

The next decade saw Greyhounds greatest growth, as the economy grew, so the need to travel greater distances to find work meant Greyhound expanded further, to at point where by in 1941 they had 4,750 stations and nearly 10,000 employees.

Following the end of the second world war america started the Interstate Highway System which would have been good news for Greyhound, but just as in Europe the late 50's early 60's saw an explosion in car ownership, the new highway system meant that prosperous americans could travel great distances with the convenience of thier own cars.

Greyhound had reacted to this, and had expanded into other areas as diverse as meatpacking, soap manufatures, and financial services. They also bought MCI the company that made the famous 'Leaping Dogs'.

In 1984 a bitter contract dispute between drivers and owners lasted three years. The result of with Greyhound decided to spin-off the bus lines from it's parent company, who changed thier name to Dial co.

By now the The National Trailways Bus System was under pressure from car and air travel. Greyhound now without the support of it's profitable parent company, was faced with prospect of expand or die.

So in 1987 they acquired Continental Trailways, Greyhounds biggest competitor. They also set up affiliate services with smaller Trailway members. But the same year another costly strike forced Greyhound to file for bankruptcy.

After more reorganisation Laidlaw the canadian transport company acquired Greyhound in 1998, but by now there were several low cost airlines operating on most of Greyhounds long haul services, and with the investments made in acquiring further bus companies Laidlaw also filed for Bankruptcy protection in 2001.

In 2003 Laidlaw International was formed and it's shares were listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Greyhound was now a part of a large transportation company, indeed the most profitable part being the School Bus Network.

Greyhound survives, but alot of long distance routes have gone. They have had to move into more sustainable areas such as, commuters services, sightseeing(Grayline tours) and Tour charter work.

But they have seen passenger numbers increase again, mainly on the back of 911. But long term will they survive.It would be a sad day if the 'Leaping Dogs' no longer graced the interstates
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Greyhound also have a museum in Hibbing, Minnesota
http://www.greyhoundbusmuseum.org
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My Greyhounds
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My first Greyhound trip was made from Toronto to New York in 1969 at the tender age of eight.
I remember arriving at the Greyhound station and looking at a line of gleaming aluminium buses.
Our bus was unlike anything I'd seen before, as you entered the bus there were a few lower seats, but then you climbed four more steps and you sat high off the ground, almost like being on a double decker. This bus was the scenicruiser, the long distance bus, with a toilet and water dispenser, we had never seen the like of this before. Our Driver welcomed us aboard , he was immaculatly turned out in grey uniform and cap.

Being eight years old and in a new country I suppose everything is a revelation, but to this day my lasting image of that trip was the Port Authority Bus Station in New York (before half of it was turned into a shopping mall). There were what seemed like hundreds of Greyhounds lined up, thier destination blinds all reading opposite ends of the continent, Los Angles, Seattle, Fort Worth, Miami,Chicago. There were queues of people everywhere, different accents, different clothes, different races, all at this cramped station, all going somewhere, all these different places. I think that day something ignited in my mind, someday I want to see those places.

Some six years later I got my second Greyhound experience.
1974 how the world had changed or had I just lost that childlike innocence. Travelling with my elder Brother this time, he had planned a trip that would zig-zg us across america in 12 days.
We started from his home in Toronto, Canada making our way down to Chicago for our long distance bus to San Francisco.

The amazing thing about Greyhound Stations they all look pretty much the same, only the number of bays marking the size and importance. Chicago is large having 40 plus bays. It is a major hub for Greyhounds which leave at every point of the compass.

The golden rule when aiming to catch a particular bus is find the bay, get our bags down and wait. You get a decent seat, and more important you will catch the first bus out. You cannot reserve seats, and if a bus is full they will pull another bus round to take the overspill. If you are going the full distance of that bus, make yourself known to the driver, as the relif bus may only go half the distance, with local stops. It sounds a lottery, but belive me that day in July 1974 Five buses left on the same route, we were lucky to get on the forth.

Sceond rule. Travel light, and I mean one bag, preferably one that doubles as a pillow. Whilst I could not get enough of the views along the way, there are times when you will doze off.
And if like us you attempt an overnight bus then the pillow bag is a must. Overnight buses tend to be less crowded, and you can spread out over two seats.

Third. Take food with you. The longest you will travel is a four hour stretch, but most times there is a Leg/Smoke break every couple of hours. Usually at a diner, but as I will explain you might not get to eat.

Forth. Breaks, once you stop make a restroom visit first, americans being american will head for the food, you only get about 20-40 minutes, and to serve 50 plus people in that time at a busy diner is asking alot. So freshen up, go to the food counter, and order to-go. You can eat and drink on the bus.

Fifth. Unless your bags are stowed in the on floor compartment, take your belongings with you. Not everybody gets off the bus, and some people pretend to be asleep, need I say more.

So our bus, heading for Denver. Greyhound travel is unique in that just about every opposite in society uses them. Our bus was packed, we managed to get two seats together near the back. Our cohorts here were Marines who just got back from Viet Nam and boy were they in good spirits. With them, the back of bus was inhabited by a mixture of Hippies and general drop-outs.
Thankfully things did not kick of till we got to the first food stop, where one of the marines took exception to one of the hippies, who insisted in talking about the peace movement and the black panthers. Needless to say we reboarded the bus to find we had alot more space, and St Louis police dept. had filled some of thier cells. This was the only trouble I had at anytime on Greyhound.

From Denver the Bus takes you ever higher into the Rocky Mountains. If there is one trip I would recommend, be it by Car, Train, or Bus, it would be Denver, San Francisco, Los Angeles, back to Denver, an absolute feast of scenery and Culture.

Sign of the times. Our Driver welcomes us aboard.
' Hi Folks, Now a few things we have to get clear before we leave. There is No Smkoing! of any type, and not in the restroom. It is a Federal Offence To Smoke or use any kinda illegal substance on Greyhound buses'
Yes we were leaving San Fransico bound for LA.

Our plan from LA was the head east down to Miami ,but we were only to get as far as Flagstaff, where my Brother had to arrange for us to fly back to Toronto as he was needed back at work.

So it was 31 years later at 06.15 AM that I was reunited with the 'Leaping Dog' , but what was this, a Tour bus with a Greyhound sticker in the windscreen. We had hit the Rockies in high season, our bus trip to Durango was to be shared with a tour from where,? Yes Brits, 35 of them.
Greyhound services are run by affiliate companies in some areas, and we were in such an area. Texas,New Mexico and Oklahoma Coaches supplied our bus, apparently the service direct to Alburquerque runs only from Denver. So we joined our rather strange bus for the journey to Durango, with Driver/Tour Guide. I felt somehow cheated, where had the Silver buses with Leaping Dogs on the side gone,and the Cheerful Driver in grey uniform gone.
But not to worry. At the first Restroom break our driver explained that this was one of the few north/south services left in the rockies that Greyhound run, and they can only make it pay by mixing tour transfers and service bus as one, and this was only done on the weekends. We could not argue as the bus was brand new, with superb air conditioning. we needed it, as the tempreature rose to 121o F.

So a new day, and a real Greyhound, and real passengers.
From Durango to Alburquerque you travel through four states in as many hours, we also passed through four Native American Tribal Lands, and our bus was mostly full with Native Americans.
Durango held thier Rodeo that weekend, and most were either Cowhands or spectators. Our driver ( A Native American) was the only Guy who did'nt have a hangover. He was a cheery man who asked us to sit up front with him, and he would point out different places to us. True to his word we learned more about the history of Native Americains than we did with John Wayne in 20 or more films. By the time we got to Alburquerque we were the only ones on board and our helpful driver dropped us right at our Hotel.
It was good to know that the same spirit exists within the company. It is a plain no nonsense company that provides a good reliable service, but with a courteous, good mannered delivery.
From Alburquerque we headed west to Flagstaff, being something of a full circle for me.

Our bus was busy. Now there is a kind of unwritten rule with bus travel. The bad boys sit at the back. You can sit in the front seat, but have to give it up for an older (or Large) passenger. You don't sit next to a single female, and races's don't tend to mix, although anybody will talk to you! Strange but it works, just like the Trains we meet mostly friendly, genuine people. And when we got back to Britain it really brings it home on the National Express coach nobody talks, sullen drivers. God what must the Yanks think of us when they come over here!

So 31 years later we rolled into Flagstaff Greyhound Station again. Just the same as I'd left it.

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Greyhound buses run 24 hours a day 7 days a week on most major routes.

The buses are of equal standard to National Express coaches in this country, with toilet, and some have water/drinks dispensers. Older buses seat up to 55 (a bit cramped) The latest buses seat 49 and have wheelchair lift. All are air conditioned, and have air suspension.

You cannot reserve a seat. If planning to tour with Greyhound you need to keep your plans flexable, as things don't always go as planned, if a bus is full these days, they don't have the same number spare buses or drivers.

You can buy Travel Passes from 7-31 days, and Greyhound have a network of routes in Canada.

The website is typical Greyhound. Simple and no nonsense.
Tickets can be purchased online. But the best thing to do( if not using a travel pass) is to turn up and go. Every stop has a ticket office or bureau. Prices work out at $31 for 300 miles (thats £15 London- Newcastle) good value!

Greyhound are fairly safe, look after your belongings at stops, and don't hang around at Greyhound stations at night.

I promise you will see the real america here, and it might surprise you.

Further reading:- The Great American Bus Ride by Irma Kurtz
ISBN 1-85702-185-1

http://www.greyhound.com

 

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