Vamoose (Arlington, Cana, Madison: lease, credit card, maintenance)

[normie]

Someone recommended Vamoose to me today. Has anyone tried this? Apparently it's a bus that makes several trips daily between Arlington and Penn Station in NYC. The trip costs $25.

If you tried this, did you like the ride? Would you recommend it?

[TrippingJay]

I've rode Vamoose to NYC several times but from the Bethesda stop. I would recommend it hands down to Greyhound or the scary Chinatown buses.

The cost may be a little high, but the buses are clean and have working heat and A/C. It's also recommended to make a reservation as it become first come first serve if you do not.

Depending on the which bus you take, I believe the stop is near Penn Station or Times Square-you might want to check the website. Also, some buses do not stop at any rest stops so make sure to bring food/water just in case.

[OkOk]

I took Vamoose a few weeks ago. It does drop you off near Penn Station/ Madison Square Gardens. The trip was quicker than I thought. There were no rest stops. The bus was full and quiet. Trip back was the same. Full and quiet. The driver never made any sudden lane changes or stops. That was my first bus trip and I plan on more. Be sure to take cash or personal check for your fare. They don't take credit cards, even if you do make the reservation. I was never asked my name or if I had a reservation.

[Nemesis15]

Chinatown bus handsdown. The cheapest, and uber fast. I don't understand how you can call it scary.

[TrippingJay]

Originally Posted by Nemesis15

Chinatown bus handsdown. The cheapest, and uber fast. I don't understand how you can call it scary.

I was exgarrating a little. I'm basing this solely on my bad experiences with the Chinatown bus lines. The bus was filthy, overcrowded, and worst off broke down on the NJ turnpike. I've heard other horror stories that were much worse than mine, but that's not to say all Chinatown buses are bad. It's a case of you get what you pay for.

[normie]

Is there a good place to park if you leave from Arlington? I want to make a trip lasting several days, but am worried about leaving my car on the street for that long.

[scimitar12]

Here is a link from Vamoose that provides parking information in the Arlington area.

http://www.arlingtonva.us/Department...20Corridor.pdf

[Nemesis15]

Originally Posted by TrippingJay

I was exgarrating a little. I'm basing this solely on my bad experiences with the Chinatown bus lines. The bus was filthy, overcrowded, and worst off broke down on the NJ turnpike. I've heard other horror stories that were much worse than mine, but that's not to say all Chinatown buses are bad. It's a case of you get what you pay for.

All of the buses I've rode were like Greyhounds and clean. Overcrowding? What does that mean? Like there were people standing up on the drive up there?

You can't beat $35 round trip.

[FindingZen]

I haven't taken Vamoose but I'd consider it along with a few other upstart NYC-bound bus services. I also have an overall negative impression of the "Chinatown" buses based on a year's worth of monthly trips between Philly and DC. The drivers plowed their way up and down I-95 at an average of 90mph while talking on their cell phones. Occasionally they would make an impromptu stop to fill up at a gas station. (Couldn't you have done that between trips?) Customer service was prickly unless perhaps you were fluent in Chinese. If you had luggage that you wanted to store under the bus, you'd often share space with freight that they were shipping. Sure it was super cheap (maybe $30 round trip) but you definitely got what you paid for.

Just my .02.

[car54]

I wouldn't ride any of the fly-by-night bus lines. Those motorcoaches are leased back and forth and sideways so much that it is often impossible to determine just who owns them. Which is important if your survivors want to file a wrongful death lawsuit.

Plus bus maintenance may be non-existant or blatantly illegal....wasn't there a fatal bus wreck recently in Texas caused by a retreaded tire on the steering axle?

If I HAD to ride a bus, I'd take Greyhound...at least it is part of a large corporation that can be served papers if necessary.

Actually, I'd take the train....it doesn't cost that much more.....and there's just way too many lunatics on interstate buses. Some nut in Canada recently DECAPITATED his seatmate!