Kvetch

[debka_notion]

So we tried to book Greyhound tickets last week, for a short trip we're taking on Thursday, to go to Baltimore, to a wedding (a family friend of H's family). Everything was set- and then their website was messed up and wouldn't register my credit card. So we waited, wrote to customer service, and got a useless answer. I would have called, but it was going to be a 30+ minute wait to talk to someone, and I just didn't have the time...

Sunday, I looked at the different bus options, found that Bolt bus was now cheaper than Greyhound (as we could no longer get the advance sale price), and went with that. More expensive than we would have managed before, but still cheaper than the now-available Greyhound prices, and leaving at a good time for us.

Today, I got an email from Bolt Bus saying that there was some trouble, and they had rescheduled us- sorry for the inconvenience. Sadly, they rescheduled us to arrive 15 minutes before the wedding starts- if nothing goes wrong, no traffic, no road work, nothing at all. And then there's a cab ride to get to where the wedding is, and we'll need to change- and this just isn't going to work at all.

So I wrote them, asking for an earlier, rather than a later bus. But if they push us too far earlier, we'll have to miss the whole day of yeshiva, rather than just the afternoon- and that's not good for H, who's getting a stipend for doing this. But I really Don't want to have to pay even more.

Comments

[taylweaver.livejournal.com]

Wow. That sounds really frustrating.

I hope Bolt Bus has an earlier bus they can put you on.

You could also look up what the bus is right before yours, and try to ride standby. If you're the first few people in line (It might also help if you've signed up for the Bolt Bus rewards program, which you can sign up for at any time), you might make it on. (On the way back from Boston, Terri rode standby on our bus instead of riding on her later bus. I don't think she had to pay extra.)

I know that adds stress as well, especially since you won't know until the last minute.

On the plus side, Bolt seemed to do a pretty good job estimating our arrival time back from Ariela's wedding, even with rush hour traffic. We arrived within five minutes of when they said we would. And if it's a Jewish wedding, what are the chances it actually starts on time?

But still, if it were me, I'd be stressed out about it too.

You could also check whether Megabus has anything, and ask Bolt for a refund, since you chose that specific time for a reason.

And, in case you were just looking to vent, here, have a hug, and ignore everything else I just said.

[tirerim.livejournal.com]

I generally find Amtrak much more reliable than buses (including their website).

[debka-notion.livejournal.com]

I do too- but they were charging about 4 times as much...