$1 Megabus Sale

Times-Union: The Buzz: Business news: Megabus offering 50,000 one-dollar seats to boost travel

Here's the Press Release

The $1 seats will be available on all megabus.com departures (subject to availability) in all 30 cities during the Sept. 14 to Nov. 19 travel period. Travelers will need to use the promo code HOTDEAL when booking for a chance to book the $1 fares.

It's being published nation-wide, so will probably sell out fast. Catch the Megabus to NYC at the Rensselaer rail station. [525 East St, Rensselaer, NY] Here are the parking rates ($8, $6 or $5 per day). Consider taking the CDTA bus to the station - check the return schedules for late arrivals.

Feb. 2009 Leg. Report

Here's the District 6 Legislative Report from Mike Stammel.

He filed a resolution asking Megabus to secure adequate parking for their riders.

The Rensselaer County Legislature files a lot of resolutions - I don't know if they actually have any means for enforcement.

Megabus Parking Problem

It looks like the additional travelers attracted to the Amtrak station by the new Megabus to NYC are causing parking headaches in downtown Rensselaer, NY. Here's the press release by Rensselaer County Legislator Mike Stammel:

Stammel Concerned About Mega Bus Parking Issues
...
Stammel said he wants city officials and others to review issues created by the operation of Megabus, which provides service from Rensselaer to New York City.
...
Patrons of the service have created parking issues in the center of the city since the Megabus service started. Residents have contacted Stammel about parking problems on Broadway, East Street, upper Wendell Street, Elm Street, Fourth and Fifth avenues and the state-owned parking facility on Broadway.

Either the thrifty Megabus customers don't want to pay to park at Amtrak, or they can't find room in the lot. The problem is, few of those older downtown homes have their own off-street parking, and homeowners are getting displaced by travelers parking in front of their residences.

I suggest that the DeFreestville Park & Ride on Rt. 4 is a much better place to leave your car than the narrow streets surrounding the Amtrak station. You can take the CDTA #14 bus directly to and from the station (check the timetables carefully, to make sure you're expected back before their last run, especially on Sunday night). The station is served by other CDTA bus lines as well.

UPDATE: Times-Union, 1/21/09 Parking issues arise over new bus service

MegaBus to NYC

I've been meaning to post about the new MegaBus direct service from the Rensselaer Amtrak station to Penn Station in New York City. (Fares are as low as $1 if you book far in advance - it's currently $19 each way for a late Jan. weekend.) The schedule looks very convenient, so I hope to try it soon.

But for now, I found a great review from someone who has already made the trip. Matthew Loiacono's blog "the view from here" gives you detailed instructions, tells what to expect:

How to Travel from Albany -> NYC for $1 Each Way

The MegaBus site has this notification, which is a change of pick-up location (Matthew's review describes the old location):

The bus stop in Albany/Rensselaer has been moved. We are now picking up in the North Service Parking lot of the train station. The entrance to the parking lot is off East St, just North of Wendell St on the West side and this lot can be accessed from the train station.

Matthew Loiacono is a local musician, so while you're on his site, take the time to listen to a few tracks. It's very cool stuff! (Traditional instruments like mandolin and banjo with modern technology and sounds.) If you get to his site before the end of the year, you can download a free live album.