California is home to some of the nation’s most iconic cities, making it a great place to explore. With its incredible diversity of cultures, cuisines, and attractions, the Golden State is a top destination for both domestic and international travelers.
Whether it’s exploring Hollywood or San Francisco or taking in the coastline, there are plenty of things to explore in California. When visiting California, there are a variety of transportation options to get around.
One of the most popular and convenient choices is public bus transportation. Bus services in California provide reliable and affordable transportation to get you to where you need to go.
From airports to popular sightseeing destinations, bus services make traveling within California simple and easy. In this article, we will highlight some of the top bus services in California to make your stay in the Golden State easier.
From local buses to charter services to luxury shuttles, we will explore the top services to help you get the most out of your trip.
1. Greyhound
Greyhound is a long-distance intercity bus service that operates in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. It is one of the largest intercity bus companies, with over 3,800 destinations across North America.
Greyhound buses offer economical and convenient transportation options for daily commuters, travelers, and tourists. Passengers can purchase tickets online or in person at Greyhound ticket offices.
Greyhound also offers a variety of services, such as Wi-Fi, comfortable leather seats, wheelchair access, baggage storage, and pet transport.
2. Megabus
Megabus is an intercity coach service operated by the Stagecoach Group. It serves travel between cities and towns throughout the United Kingdom, as well as between major cities in the United States, Canada, and continental Europe.
In the UK, Megabus services are operated by Megabus and branded as “megabus.com”. In addition to coach services, Megabus also offers a range of low-cost ticket options, including discounts and travel deals.
Megabus services are often more economical than other coach services, and passengers typically receive discounts for booking in advance.
3. Amtrak
Amtrak is the name of the United States national passenger railroad. Amtrak was created in 1971 and is operated by the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (NRPC).
Amtrak operates in 46 states, the District of Columbia, and three Canadian provinces. Amtrak provides intercity passenger rail service to more than 500 destinations in 46 states on a network of 21,400 miles (34,400 km).
Amtrak serves more than 30 million passengers a year, making it the largest passenger railroad service in the United States.
In addition to intercity passenger service, Amtrak also offers freight service, special passenger services, and commuter services in some areas.
4. FlixBus
FlixBus is an intercity bus service operating in Europe and the United States. The company provides high-quality, green, and smart transportation services as an alternative to traditional, inefficient road transport.
The company offers tickets for scheduled trips, on-demand journeys, and bus charters between cities and towns. In addition, FlixBus offers features such as Wi-Fi, electrical outlets, extra legroom, and more to make the journey even more comfortable.
The FlixBus network covers 18 countries and passengers can book trips from over 5,400 destinations.
5. BoltBus
BoltBus is an intercity bus service operated by Greyhound. It offers service in the United States and Canada, providing direct service between major cities east of the Mississippi River, including New York City, Boston, Philadelphia, Washington DC, Baltimore, Richmond, Newark, Atlantic City, Toronto, Montreal, and Portland. BoltBus offers affordable fares, onboard WiFi, power outlets, and extra legroom.
6. VIVA (Valley-Intercity Express)
VIVA is a dedicated bus rapid transit (BRT) system that connects the cities of Woodland and Davis in Yolo County, California.
The service offers connections between the two cities, as well as to other nearby locations, including Sacramento and San Francisco. VIVA operates frequent, high-frequency service on dedicated bus lanes, providing limited stops along the route.
It features enhanced amenities such as onboard Wi-Fi, real-time arrival information, and a mobile ticketing system. VIVA also connects to other local and regional transit services, including YoloBus, Amtrak, and SolanoExpress.
7. Orange Belt Stages
The Orange Belt Stages bus service offers bus transportation throughout the Orange County area of North Carolina. The bus service provides both commuter and scheduled routes.
It is a service of the Orange County Transportation Authority, which is a public transit system that operates within the county. On the commuter routes, Orange Belt Stages buses provide transportation between communities and workers’ neighborhoods.
These buses operate on a route schedule that is dependent on the volume of riders and the time of day. On the scheduled routes, buses run throughout the county offering access to urban areas, shopping centers, and other locations.
Some of the services offered by Orange Belt Stages include wheelchair-accessible vehicles for passengers with disabilities and free Wi-Fi on all buses.
The bus service also offers special services for seniors and veterans. Orange Belt Stages is an affordable public transportation option for people in the Orange County area.
It offers a range of routes at reasonable prices and provides reliable transportation services.
8. YARTS (Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System)
YARTS is an affordable and convenient transit system that serves Yosemite National Park, San Joaquin Valley, and the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains.
YARTS provides regular bus service to Yosemite Valley from the gateway communities of Merced, Mariposa, Oakhurst, Fresno, Mammoth Lakes, Sonora, and Lee Vining.
With YARTS, travelers can easily explore Yosemite National Park, the surrounding Sierra Nevada Mountains, and the San Joaquin Valley in a safe and affordable way. YARTS also provides tourism education programs, real-time bus tracking, and free wi-fi on all buses.
9. Surfside Express
Surfside Express is a restaurant located in Surfside Beach, South Carolina. It is a family-owned and operated business that offers an array of seafood dishes and sandwiches.
They are known for their savory fried shrimp and fish sandwiches, as well as the “Paradise Plate,” an assortment of fried seafood. Surfside Express also offers specialty cocktails and desserts.
The atmosphere is relaxed and inviting, with outdoor seating available for those who want to enjoy a meal in the fresh air. Guests can dine in the restaurant, which is decorated with colorful beach and surf decor.
10. Golden Empire Transit District
The Golden Empire Transit District (GET) is the public bus system in Bakersfield, California.
GET provides 81 bus routes in and around Kern County, including the cities of Bakersfield, Arvin, Lamont, McFarland, Shafter, Tehachapi, Wasco, and Delano. Additionally, GET operates a van service, Re-Ride, for the transportation of senior citizens and persons with disabilities.
GET buses are equipped with safety features, such as wheelchair lifts and bike racks, as well as GPS tracking technology to ensure passenger safety and efficient scheduling.
GET buses are powered by clean-burning natural gas. Fares vary depending on the type of pass and length of ride.
Passes can be purchased online, at GET offices, or on board the buses. For more information about fares and routes, visit the GET website.
Conclusion:
The bus service is an important part of the transportation system. It provides an affordable and convenient way to get around and it is accessible to people who don’t have access to their own vehicles.
Although the bus service has some drawbacks, it remains an important part of the transportation system and should be supported. Buses are usually more environmentally friendly than other modes of transportation, and they can help reduce traffic congestion in cities.
With the introduction of new technology and better routes, the bus service can be made even more efficient and effective.