California Shuttle Bus

California Shuttle Bus was a private bus company that provides daily bus services between Los Angeles and San Francisco, making one stop in San Jose. Founded in 2003, the company used 47-seat charter buses from MCI.[1]

California Shuttle Bus at Powell Street station

History

The company launched its services in 2003.[2] The service was initially launched as a $40 one-way service between the Los Angeles area and the San Francisco Bay Area.[1][2]

In 2008, the company started offering $5 trips, but prices later increased to $25–40.[1][3] The advent of the $5 fares coincided with the cessation of Megabus service from LA to the Bay Area.[4] Megabus has since resumed service between the Bay Area and Los Angeles.

Service

The company offered once-daily bus service between Los Angeles and San Francisco/San Jose areas comparable to Greyhound or Amtrak Thruway Motorcoach, the former its main competitor[5] Bus stops were located at major transit centers, hotels, and downtown areas.[6] In Northern California, major stops included Powell Street station in downtown San Francisco and San Jose Diridon station.[1] In Southern California, major stops were at Union Station, Santa Monica, Hollywood, and North Hollywood Metro station.[1]

It was called a "cheap alternative for students"; although originally envisioned to attract upmarket travelers from long waits at airports, it attracted mostly backpackers, senior citizens, business people, and bargain hunters.[2][7][8] Patrons could pay a higher fare to guarantee that their adjoining seat is empty for their comfort.[9] Similar to Megabus, California Shuttle Bus used a dynamic pricing model where prices started very low and gradually increased as tickets were sold. Prices generally started at $15. Assigned seating was added in 2013. The company suspended services in mid-2017.[10]

References
  1. Homepage Archived 2011-03-03 at the Wayback Machine. California Shuttle Bus. 2011. Retrieved 23-04-2011.
  2. White, Ronald D. (10 September 2003). "Busman Stops at Nothing - Los Angeles Times". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 23 April 2011.
  3. New $5 Bus Service Offered By California Shuttle Bus Between Los Angeles and San Francisco. RedOrbit.com. 18-06-2008. Retrieved 230-04-2011.
  4. Bus line offers Bay Area fare deal Andrea Chang. Los Angeles Times. 24-06-2008. Retrieved 23-04-2011.
  5. Gas Busters Bus Battle Round 2: Los Angeles to San Francisco Archived 2011-07-21 at the Wayback Machine. Evan Lips. MainStreet.com. 05-06-2008. Retrieved 23-04-2011.
  6. California Shuttle Bus Launches New Service Between LA and the SF Bay Area. PR Newswire. 03-04-2004. Retrieved 23-04-2011.
  7. Bus business bustling. Jamie McClintock. Pasadena Star News. 24-06-2003. Retrieved 23-04-2011.
  8. Megabus, California Shuttle Bus cheap travel options for students. Allysse Delasandro. Walletpop.com. 10-04-2010. Retrieved 23-04-2011.
  9. TRANSPORTATION; Bus service promises life in the fast lane; Nonstop trips between L.A. and six other cities are to begin next week. Alana Samuels. Los Angeles Times. 31-07-2007. 23-04-2011.
  10. "California Shuttle Bus". California Shuttle Bus. Archived from the original on July 15, 2017. We have suspended our service for next 90 days.
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