BoltBus

A BoltBus Prevost X3-45 in New York City.

In March 2008, facing competition from Chinatown bus lines in the northeast, Greyhound and Peter Pan Bus Lines partnered to launch BoltBus as a lower-cost brand.[7][8]

The first route was between New York City and Washington, D.C., launched on March 27, 2008, followed by a route between New York City and Philadelphia launched on April 10, 2008, and between New York City and Boston launched on April 24, 2008.[7][9]

That year, the company was named one of America's hottest brands by Ad Age.[10]

Stops in Baltimore and Greenbelt, Maryland were added in 2009.[11]

A stop in Newark, New Jersey was added on March 24, 2011.[12][13][14]

BoltBus expanded to the Pacific Northwest on May 17, 2012, offering service between Seattle and Portland.[15] Unlike the service in the northeast, Greyhound operated its BoltBus service on the west coast without a partner bus carrier. Service in the Pacific Northwest was expanded to Vancouver and Bellingham on May 31, 2012[16] and to Albany and Eugene on October 3, 2013.[17]

BoltBus expanded into California on October 31, 2013, offering service between Los Angeles and San Jose and Oakland.[18] A stop at Transbay Terminal in San Francisco was added to the route on December 12, 2013.[19]

A second route between Union Station in Los Angeles and San Diego was added on November 14, 2013.[20]

On December 12, 2013, a route was added between Los Angeles Union Station and Las Vegas, with a stop in Barstow.[19]

In 2015, it added a pickup in Hollywood, Los Angeles for routes to/from Northern California.[21]

In October 2016, the company launched a new onboard entertainment system.[22]

Effective September 27, 2017, after a lengthy legal skirmish, Greyhound and Peter Pan Bus Lines ended their partnership and Greyhound became the sole owner of BoltBus.[23]

On October 19, 2017, BoltBus service was extended to Fresno, California, with routes to Los Angeles, Hollywood, San Jose, San Francisco, and Oakland.[24]

In March 2019, BoltBus added stops in Tacoma, Washington and Everett, Washington.[25] It also added a stop in Wilmington, Delaware.[26]

On July 1, 2021, BoltBus discontinued its operations.[27][28]

In September 2021, FlixMobility acquired Greyhound.[29]

BoltBus interior with leather seats.

BoltBus #0889, a 2013 Motor Coach Industries D4505 stopped at Pacific Central Station in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

BoltBus routes used Prevost X3-45 and MCI D4505 coaches. All motorcoaches were equipped with wireless internet access and seats that had armrests, footrests, seat belts, cup holders. Most seats had a pair of 120-volt power outlets. The motorcoaches used on BoltBus had 5 fewer seats than the industry standard, giving passengers additional legroom and eliminating the middle seat from the last row.

• Bowen, Alison, "Boltbus, Megabus and Fung-Wah: Curbside buses more dangerous: Buses that pick up passengers off the street are more dangerous than those that use a terminal, a new report found", Metro newspaper, New York City, October 31, 2011