WA: Low-cost Bus Line to Portland on Track to Compete Against Amtrak
BoltBus, which began four years ago on the East Coast, will offer nonstop service here starting May 17. Buses will leave curbside from Fifth Avenue South, next to the International District/Chinatown transit station, four times a day.
Ironically, a mudslide near downtown Seattle delayed a midday Portland trip 50 minutes Friday and canceled outright the passenger trains north -- those riders instead were taking buses from Everett or beyond.
Sandi Olson, waiting for a Portland train, said she's had good experience with the QuickShuttle bus to Canada, so she would try BoltBus. In a confined bus space, "We'd probably just sleep or talk the whole time anyway," said her friend Jennifer Costales.
Jim and Jan Stroh, of Bellevue, said they prefer the train to ride as a couple but will look into BoltBus if they take their three sons to Portland, because, in that case, they would have to buy five round-trip tickets.
Tony Misch, heading to an art opening in Portland, said he strongly prefers rail, but paid $53, so he would consider the cost differences.
"If it was within $15 to $20," he said, "I'd take the train."
Mike Lindblom: 206-515-5631 or mlindblom@seattletimes.com. On Twitter @mikelindblom.
Copyright 2012 - The Seattle Times
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