Greyhound buses are a popular mode of transportation in North America, with tens of thousands of passengers travelling via Greyhound every day. However, the reliability of Greyhound buses has been called into question by several passengers. Some common issues that Greyhound passengers face include delays, unexpected layovers, lack of Wi-Fi and power outlets, uncomfortable temperatures, and unsavoury characters. While some passengers have reported positive experiences, others have shared horror stories of being stranded due to last-minute cancellations, unhelpful customer service, and unhygienic conditions. These negative experiences have led to a perception of Greyhound buses as unsafe, particularly at night. Despite the low cost of travelling with Greyhound, the trade-off may be an uncomfortable and unreliable journey.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Safety | Generally safe, but the bus stations tend to be in unsafe areas. |
Reliability | Notorious for being late. |
Comfort | The Wi-Fi and power outlets don't work. The bathrooms are gross. The temperature is either too hot or too cold. |
Customer Service | Poor. |
What You'll Learn
Delayed or cancelled buses
One customer reported that their bus from New York to Philadelphia was delayed, and despite Greyhound's parent company, FirstGroup, promising to "keep our customers at the heart of everything we do", the customer was unable to receive a voucher or partial refund for their delayed bus.
Another customer shared a similar experience, where their bus from State College, PA, to NYC was delayed by three hours and then cancelled. They were forced to book a seat for the following day, which was also cancelled, leading them to book a flight home.
In addition to delayed and cancelled buses, Greyhound has also been criticised for its poor customer service and lack of accountability. Customers have reported that the call centre is unhelpful, and the company is difficult to reach for inquiries and complaints.
Greyhound's "Terms and Conditions of Purchase & Carriage" state that the company is not responsible for keeping its schedules and is not liable for delays caused by breakdowns, road conditions, weather, or other factors beyond their control. However, they also state that they will make reasonable attempts to minimise delays or make alternate arrangements for passengers to reach their destinations.
Despite these issues, Greyhound remains a popular choice for travellers, with 16,000,000 people riding the bus annually. The company offers a low-budget transportation option, and while its clientele and service reflect that, most passengers still reach their destinations without any major issues.
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Unhelpful customer service
Greyhound's customer service has been described as sub-par, non-existent, and horrible. Many customers have complained about the company's lack of assistance and inability to resolve issues.
One common issue is Greyhound's failure to provide timely updates and communication about delays and cancellations. Customers have reported receiving no notification of cancellations until they arrive at the bus station, leaving them stranded and forced to make last-minute alternative arrangements. In some cases, Greyhound has offered only vouchers or partial refunds, even when the company is at fault.
The call centre has also been criticised for its inability to help customers, with reports of long wait times, unhelpful responses, and a lack of authority to resolve issues. For example, the call centre can only rebook trips and offer refunds, with all other inquiries directed through the website.
In addition, customers have reported issues with the website itself, finding it difficult to navigate and make changes to bookings. The website has also been criticised for its lack of transparency, with important information, such as extra fees, not being clearly disclosed.
Customers have also encountered unhelpful and rude staff at bus stations. In some cases, station employees have provided incorrect or misleading information, further adding to the confusion and frustration of travellers.
Overall, Greyhound's customer service has been a significant source of dissatisfaction for many travellers, leading to a negative perception of the company as a whole.
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Uncomfortable temperatures
Greyhound buses are known for their extremely cold temperatures, which can be uncomfortable for passengers. In a blog post, a passenger recounts how their teeth were chattering in the middle of the night, and they had to put on all the clothes they had with them and still felt cold. The driver reportedly said that the air conditioning on Greyhound buses only has one setting—arctic temperature—and that he would rather drive a cold bus than one that is too hot.
To combat the cold, it is recommended that passengers bring extra layers, such as sweaters, to stay warm. In addition, passengers are advised to bring a pillow, earplugs, and an eye mask to make the journey more comfortable, as the buses can be noisy and bright, even during the overnight part of the trip.
While Greyhound buses do have air conditioning to maintain a comfortable temperature, individual passengers can adjust the temperature at their seats with adjustable air outlets. However, it seems that these adjustments may not be very effective in combating the extremely cold temperatures experienced by some passengers.
Overall, while Greyhound buses offer some features for passenger comfort, such as leather seats, ample legroom, and adjustable air outlets, the extreme temperatures can be a significant source of discomfort during long journeys.
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Unsanitary bathrooms
While Greyhound buses do have bathrooms, they are notoriously unsanitary. The bathrooms are located at the rear of the bus and are pretty basic, containing only a toilet and, hopefully, some toilet paper. There is no running water, and the toilet does not flush. They are similar to the toilets in a portable toilet with the weird-smelling blue liquid. Due to the lack of running water, it is recommended that passengers bring wet wipes or some other type of antibacterial hand wipes to clean their hands after using the bathroom.
The bathrooms on Greyhound buses are only cleaned at certain stops, so if someone uses the bathroom and makes a mess, it will remain dirty until its scheduled cleaning time, which could be hours later. Complaining to the bus driver will not help, as cleaning the bathrooms is not their responsibility.
The unsanitary state of Greyhound bus bathrooms is not solely the fault of the company. Passengers, particularly men, often miss the toilet due to poor aiming, resulting in a mess. Additionally, there have been rumours of people having sex in the bus bathrooms, further contributing to their unsanitary state.
Some passengers choose to avoid using the bus bathrooms altogether and instead wait for the scheduled bathroom breaks at stops along the route. However, this may not always be feasible in an emergency situation. If you must use the bus bathroom, it is advised to never sit down on the toilet seat. Instead, stand, squat, or do whatever is necessary to prevent your exposed flesh from touching the seat.
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Unsavoury characters
Greyhound buses are notorious for their low prices, which means that they are often used by people who are lower income. This includes people who have recently been released from prison, as Greyhound is used to transport federal prisoners. As a result, Greyhound stations and buses are frequented by "unsavoury characters", including thieves, scam artists, vagrants, drug dealers and prostitutes.
One passenger noted that Greyhound stations are "notoriously in bad neighbourhoods", and that the stations have "little to no security". Another passenger observed that Greyhound stations are "hellish places" where "the bathrooms are disgusting messes".
Passengers have also reported being harassed by other passengers, as well as by people loitering in the stations. One passenger described being harassed by a group of recently released prisoners who were drinking and smoking on the bus. Another passenger described being approached by "crackheads or junkies panhandling and begging for money with wild stories".
Despite these reports, some passengers have noted that Greyhound buses are "clean and cheap", and that they are a "tolerable form of transport".
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Frequently asked questions
Greyhound buses are notorious for being late. Delays can range from 30 minutes to 4-6 hours.
The areas around Greyhound terminals can be a bit unnerving and the stations themselves are often basic.
The clientele reflects the low-budget nature of Greyhound. Expect to sit next to some 'interesting' people. The Wi-Fi won't work, the power outlets won't work, and the bathrooms are gross.