<p>Just wanted everyone to know, Megabus just opened up a route from DC to Christiansburg. Bus tickets start as low as $1 and build up in price as more people buy tickets for that specific bus. So if you can plan your trips ahead of time it can be a great resource.</p>
<p>I haven't taken the bus myself, but I do know that the Washington DC stop is near Chinatown and the Christiansburg Stop is next to the Rt 460 and I-81 exit so you will either have to someone drop you off (counter intuitive) or take the smart way bus ($4.00), which is a commuter bus that stops at squires. Honestly the whole trip would probably be 5-6 hours but you have wifi on the bus and it's much much cheaper than homeride.</p>
<p>12-18-2010 Posting to College Confidential</p>
<p>Topic: Megabus</p>
<p>I am all for a successful Megabus run from Knoxville to Christiansburg to DC. However, to be successful, Megabus needs to find a way to communicate (via internet, cell phone, or toll free land line) with riders to give them the status of the bus.</p>
<p>My daughter tried to take the 3rd Bus from Christiansburg (5:30PM) on the first day of operation (12-15) and was disappointed because the bus had not arrived after 40 minutes (6:10PM). While she waited, I called Customer Service, which was busy. Further, there was no status information on [low</a> cost inter city travel](<a href=“http://www.Megabus.com%5Dlow”>http://www.Megabus.com). </p>
<p>If she had known if the bus was coming in 5 min or 5 hours, she would have stayed or returned. As it was, she had to wait 3 days to get home because of bad weather.</p>
<p>I would be interested in learning about the experience of others who have tried the new Megabus service. Perhaps we could all brainstorm a solution. Obviously having the Megabus is a great blessing if people knew when it was coming.</p>
<p>Possible Solutions:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>toll free number (like Amtrak) where “Julie”, the automated train agent, gives the status of trains if you give her information, like the Train Number,</p></li>
<li><p>bus status on website, [low</a> cost inter city travel](<a href=“http://www.Megabus.com%5Dlow”>http://www.Megabus.com), like Amtrak</p></li>
<li><p>send out automated messages to phone numbers required when buying tickets on-line</p></li>
<li><p>electronic sign board at Falling Branch Park and Ride that would provide the status</p></li>
</ol>
<p>My main interest is encouraging the renewal of passenger rail service in VA, and more specifically, in the DC to Bristol, VA Corridor. I am especially interesting in encouraging college aged men and women to take the train and connecting bus service home on breaks, trips, or to connect with DC’s 3 airports, which is very doable.</p>
<p>Virginia started a new NE Regional Train from Lynchburg to DC (continuing to Boston) on Oct 1, 2009. After only one year, Amtrak stated that this train was its “best performing state-sponsored train in the nation”.</p>
<p>College students have “caught the train bug”. For example, during this Fall Break, an estimated 350 UVA students boarded a single train from the Charlottesville Station. </p>
<p>Now State rail officials are considering an interim connecting bus from Lynchburg to Roanoke (with the possibility of a Smart Way Bus to VA Tech and Radford (40,000 students). Their Feasiability Report will be issued this month (Dec 2010). Then cities like Roanoke have until Feb 1 to request State transportation grants from the VA Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT). If granted, connecting bus service could start in summer 2011.</p>
<p>In order for this bus service to be successful, all stakeholders need to promote it. “Ride the bus today, but ride the train tomorrow!”</p>