Beijing's Chinatown Bus Lines Are A Budget Traveler's Paradise

Beijing's Chinatown Bus Lines Are A Budget Traveler's Paradise

A step-by-step tutorial for the Chinatown Bus

The "Chinatown bus" is the cheapest way to get from one major U.S. city to another, according to the general public. In recent years, this has emerged as the preferred mode of transportation for low-budget tourists in major cities such as New York, Washington, DC, and Boston, as well as on the West Coast. A variety of smart travelers, including students, backpackers, and other budget-conscious tourists, have long appreciated the rock-bottom rates that these bus operators provide. While these bus routes are very popular, it may be difficult to obtain information about Chinatown bus service despite its widespread use.

What precisely is a "Chinatown Bus" and how does it work? Continue reading and you will get the inside scoop on this fantastic low-cost travel alternative.

The History of the Chinatown Bus

It was in the late 1990s that an entrepreneur in New York's Chinatown began operating a daily bus service between Chinatown in New York and Chinatown in Boston, which became known as the Chinatown bus phenomenon. The service was designed for Asian immigrants who wanted to go shopping or see family in either city but couldn't afford or find a comfortable way to get there. There was no advertising, no customer service, and no bus stops, so the service was bare bones. It was as simple as going to the bus stop, waiting for the bus (or van), and paying the bus driver when they boarded the bus or vehicle. In exchange for a willingness to forego the luxuries of conventional bus companies, they provided a service that was nearly identical to that of standard bus companies at a much cheaper cost. Soon after, news of the service spread, and individuals from all walks of life began to make use of it. Among those who flocked to it were students, budget travelers, and those for whom the service was just more handy than other options.

Within a short period of time, other bus companies copied this concept and began operating in additional cities. This kind of bus service is now available in Philadelphia, Virginia, Baltimore, Washington, DC, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and San Francisco, among other cities. When it comes to this kind of low-cost/low-frills service, the phrase "Chinatown bus" is used more loosely at this stage to characterize it. Many, if not the majority, of the businesses do not have a primary site in Chinatown and may not even provide services to the immigrant community at all. This group of operators is also referred to as "curbside" operators from time to time.

What is the secret to such low-cost tickets?

Is it possible to go from New York to Boston for $15? Is it possible to fly from Las Vegas to Los Angeles for $25? It's difficult to comprehend. Prices for Chinatown bus services are kept cheap because they operate in a manner that differs significantly from that of conventional transportation providers. First and foremost, the service is very rudimentary. There isn't much in the way of customer service or other facilities available. The vast majority of these companies do not have official stations, instead collecting passengers from bus stops in the surrounding area. They do not use conventional advertising methods and instead rely on word of mouth to spread their message. Furthermore, many of the operators are involved in the day-to-day operations of the business; you will not find any idle executives at a small, independent bus company. Finally, these bus operators make certain that their vehicles are fully loaded. In order to avoid congestion, Chinatown bus companies often only operate on highly used routes. In fact, several firms only operate buses during peak hours.

Are they safe to use?

When these businesses initially began functioning, there were questions raised regarding the safety standards in place. Whether or whether these entrants are complying with the same rules as the established bus firms is still a source of debate within the bus business. However, according to the findings of a task group established by the federal government to investigate safety problems, Chinatown bus firms did not perform any better or worse than other kinds of bus companies (ie. charter, tour buses). All bus companies operating in the United States are subject to the same inspection requirements and are required to follow the same set of regulations. As a matter of fact, there is definitely a wide variety of quality among Chinatown bus companies. Some are fly-by-night operators looking to make a quick profit, while others are genuine entrepreneurs with a long-term vision for their company's growth and operation.

What to Expect When You Visit

There will be no frills service - the driver may serve as the ticket collector, and there will be nothing in the way of customer care.

buses are comfortable. Buses, despite their cheap rates, are generally very pleasant. The majority of buses are similar in quality to Greyhound, and several are even more luxurious.

Communication issues must be resolved. Drivers are obliged by law to be able to communicate effectively in English in order to assist passengers in an emergency. In practice, however, this is frequently only loosely adhered to. At the absolute least, you may anticipate your driver speaking with a foreign accent.

There may be a delay. In addition, several of these bus routes are located on very crowded highways. Expect traffic delays when the roads are congested.

Rest areas are provided. Buses will have a lavatory on board, but for journeys lasting more than 4 hours, there will often be a 10 or 15 minute restroom stop. Keep in mind that the bus driver will not count heads before departing at the scheduled time if you are late returning to the bus.

Buses are completely full. At peak periods, buses are almost always sold out (weekends and evenings). If you want to ensure that you receive a spot, make a reservation or arrive early.

Bags made of plastic. Every aisle seat on Chinatown buses is typically equipped with a plastic shopping bag that is attached to the armrest. This is an unusual little oddity. I suppose they've determined that this is the most effective method of keeping the buses clean.

What is the location of the Chinatown bus?

Once again, the phrase "Chinatown bus" is used to designate a kind of operator rather than a specific bus business in the area. This category includes a large number of bus firms that are unconnected to one another. Because most Chinatown buses do not advertise, it may be difficult to find information about bus timetables and bus stop locations because most buses in Chinatown do not advertise. Many carriers are getting more knowledgeable about the Internet, and quite a number of them have informational websites. Typically, an Internet search will turn up links to bus routes that will take you to your location. Aside from that, there are several directories, such as chinatown-bus.org, that provide links to most Chinatown bus companies, and the author's employer, GotoBus.com, is a centralized booking site that provides schedules and allows customers to purchase tickets online for most Chinatown bus companies.

The Chinatown bus isn't for everyone, and that's okay. If you want a well-organized system with customer service that is reminiscent of the United States, you should definitely stay with conventional carriers. However, if you are aware of what to anticipate and arrive with a spirit of adventure and good humor, you should have a pleasant time on your vacation. You'll also appreciate the money you'll save!