Daniel Greenberg starts private bus service from Boston to New York
Frustrated by travel delays, consultant Daniel Greenberg is launching his private bus service named Magellan on Friday, Oct. 30, boston.com reported. The venture responds to dissatisfaction with existing commercial air, rail, and bus options.
From Passenger Complaints to Chartering a Bus
Daniel Greenberg grew tired of transit delays while trying to visit his girlfriend in New York. After months of complaints, he decided to use a bonus from his full-time consulting job to charter a 30-passenger bus. Organizing the trip proved more complex than expected. Greenberg had to coordinate pickup and drop-off locations, arrange where the bus would originate, and hire two drivers to cover the route.
“I’ve taken a plane. I’ve taken a train. I’ve taken a bus and I just haven’t been satisfied with [any of] them,” Greenberg said, according to boston.com.
Magellan Tickets Cost up to $125 Each Way
The inaugural Magellan run on Friday departs New York for Boston and returns later that day. Tickets cost $125 each way for a single-seat row or $109 for a shared row. The fare includes Wi-Fi access, an electrical outlet, two bottles of water, a vitamin C drink packet, and a protein bar.
For comparison, standard one-way bus tickets between the two cities typically range from $70 to nearly $200 via Greyhound, while Amtrak train fares can reach up to $300 one way.
Greenberg Plans Further Transit Tests After Initial Trips
As of Thursday morning, the New York-to-Boston morning departure was about half booked, while the evening return trip had roughly seven seats left. Greenberg does not expect to recoup all of his costs from the initial trips.
Despite the expenses, he plans to continue testing alternative transit methods between Boston and New York. Future ideas include stopping in the New York suburbs so passengers can transfer to a train into the city, or having travelers split into four-person Ubers.