At least one ticket on every bus was randomly sold for $1, excluding "handling charges".[1][2] The $1 fare was the basis for its slogan "Bolt for a Buck".[3]
The BoltBus branding incorporated a thunderbolt logo similar to the one used by the British Union of Fascists, but the company claimed that the resemblance was purely coincidental.[4][5]
When ticketed, passengers were assigned to a boarding group (S, A, B & C). Passengers who purchased their tickets earlier or were members of the company's loyalty program or had special needs got an earlier boarding group assignment.[6]
The first route was between New York City and Washington, D.C., launched on March 27, 2008, followed by a route between New York City and Philadelphia launched on April 10, 2008, and between New York City and Boston launched on April 24, 2008.[7][9]
That year, the company was named one of America's hottest brands by Ad Age.[10]
BoltBus expanded to the Pacific Northwest on May 17, 2012, offering service between Seattle and Portland.[15] Unlike the service in the northeast, Greyhound operated its BoltBus service on the west coast without a partner bus carrier. Service in the Pacific Northwest was expanded to Vancouver and Bellingham on May 31, 2012[16] and to Albany and Eugene on October 3, 2013.[17]
BoltBus expanded into California on October 31, 2013, offering service between Los Angeles and San Jose and Oakland.[18] A stop at Transbay Terminal in San Francisco was added to the route on December 12, 2013.[19]
A second route between Union Station in Los Angeles and San Diego was added on November 14, 2013.[20]
In October 2016, the company launched a new onboard entertainment system.[22]
Effective September 27, 2017, after a lengthy legal skirmish, Greyhound and Peter Pan Bus Lines ended their partnership and Greyhound became the sole owner of BoltBus.[23]
On October 19, 2017, BoltBus service was extended to Fresno, California, with routes to Los Angeles, Hollywood, San Jose, San Francisco, and Oakland.[24]
BoltBus routes used Prevost X3-45 and MCI D4505 coaches. All motorcoaches were equipped with wireless internet access and seats that had armrests, footrests, seat belts, cup holders. Most seats had a pair of 120-volt power outlets. The motorcoaches used on BoltBus had 5 fewer seats than the industry standard, giving passengers additional legroom and eliminating the middle seat from the last row.
