Bad Bus Service

FaithII · #1 06-09-2003, 11:28 PM

Hi Everyone.

I saw my husband on Saturday at Franklin (a NYS facility) and boy did I have a horrible ride! I have to board around 10 p.m. on Friday for a Saturday visit (6 hour ride). The lady taking the money charged some people $25, some $40 and some $50. The bus smelled like urine when we got on, and only got worse, and the driver couldn't stay in the lanes. When I woke up in the morning I heard we almost hit a tractor trailer! On top of that, one of the passengers got left at her facility!!! NYC has a few bus services that go to several facilities...Prison Gap and F&M are the two that I have traveled with. Right now they are all in a price war. Two weeks ago the prices were $50 to my facility for adults, now next week it's $25. Every week something different. I heard that a few weeks ago the owner of one service called the cops on another service for not having the proper licences and the bus was seized upstate! Everyone was stranded overnight until the bus was returned the next day! They go to the other service's pick up sites and steal their customers. This is horrible behavior and people like me who just want to go on a visit are caught in the middle. I wish I could just go Greyhound but I would have to spend the night upstate. These rides are often overly uncomfortable and/or dangerous and I travel with a toddler. It is a shame.

-Faith

Joanna · #2 06-11-2003, 04:13 AM

Faith,
That sounds like a nightmare, I hate the travelling part as well I have to fly from London to San Fran and then get an internal flight I really need to think about learning to drive would make more sense!

Phil in Paris · #3 06-11-2003, 04:32 AM

Faith

I'm sorry for this crappy bus ride !!!

Maybe you should try to find some people in the NY area and carpool ?? It would certainly be safer and nicer.

Good luck
Phil

yanigirl · #4 06-11-2003, 07:00 AM

Sorry to hear about your traveling conditions. I to have taken Prison Gap before and know what you mean. Our bus broke down before and people were stranded at two facilities because of it. Now I know stuff happens but what pissed me off was the owner and the driver knew that the bus was not in good condition and that there was lots of snow upstate. The driver knew that if he turned off the engine it would freeze over and he did so anyway. Needless to say I had to get a ride back with someone who drove up there and had to pay him more money to get me home. All the other people were stuck up there for hours alot with children. I vowed to never bring my son up there if it's snowing.It good to hear that they have lowered the cost though.

**David** · #5 06-13-2003, 02:16 PM

FaithII,
What bus service were you riding on that you are posting about?
David

**David** · #6 06-13-2003, 02:17 PM

*Moved to the NY State forum*

FaithII · #7 06-13-2003, 08:23 PM

Fed X,

The bus I took on the last trip that I described was F&M. I decided to try them out because I was disappointed with Prison Gap. My husband wanted me to come up this weekend for father's day but after the horrible time I had, I need a break. I wouldn't mind paying more for a little professionalism.

-Faith

outlawsdeb · #8 06-13-2003, 09:17 PM

I always drove but i have heard a lot of people complain......The one service i have heard that was pretty decent was Flambouyants Bus Service. I had a friend that rode with them quite often.....I think they have a website
Good Luck
Debbie

Mimi · #9 06-14-2003, 06:14 PM

Although I have never taken a bus, I have also heard good things about Flambouyants. I have also heard that it depends on what facility you are traveling to. With some routes being used more you get a bit more professionalism.

Phil, many do not like to car pool because our husbands and men often discourage that. Being to famaliar with another isn't good.Recently there have been some arrests that were initiated by another visitor. The men and there visitors then get charged.

I will keep my ear to the ground and also check with others what services are better than others and then post again.

**David** · #10 06-14-2003, 06:19 PM

Does Flambouyant have a web site or anything like that?
Contact info?

FaithII · #11 06-14-2003, 11:58 PM

Thank you all for your replies and advice. I'm definately going to check out Flamboyant. I don't really want to car pool on a 6+ hour ride. I don't like to drive on long rides and for someone to be responsible for all of that driving and no sleep for 24 hours may not be good either.

SnDaZ93 · #12 07-11-2003, 09:59 PM

I NEED BUS SERVICE FROM NY TO HUNTINGDON P.A, IF SOMEONE KNOWS OF A COMPANY PLEASE HELP ME. THANKS

FaithII · #13 07-14-2003, 10:34 PM

I went upstate this past weekend and Flamboyant and F&M are the same company. This trip wasn't so horrible, but I made reservations and they weren't going by them, so I almost didn't get a seat. Only one bus went up and it was packed to the max. My daughter had to sit on my lap for 6 hours there and 6 hours back. The trick is to get out there early and stand at the curb until the bus pulls up. Going by reservation would be so much better. In any case I got there and saw my honey.

SnDaZ93, I PM'd you back.

lisac117 · #14 07-30-2003, 08:40 AM

Listen...United Brothers IS THE BOMB!!!! I go to Groveland and they charge $40. The bus was CLEAN, FRESH SMELLING and AIR CONDITIONED!!! AND....the coordinators were actually NICE!!!!! I couldn't STAND that heffa on Prison Gap!!! NASTY attitude! OOOWEEEEE!!!!! Their number is 917-731-4286.The guy's name is Corky. He's a NICE GUY!!!! They even have a little contest on the way back. 1st prize is a free trip and 2nd prize is $10 back. And Corky will let you know in a NY minute "NO SH%ITTING on the bus, and if you're "friend" is visiting, NO CHANGING your pad on the bus. TELL the coordinators and they'll tell him we have to stop. Let me tell you all a funny story....the last time I went up, coming home....my stomach was TORE UP!!!! From that nasty ass artificial food in the vending machine. I couldn't take it anymore. So I told the coordinator "we need to make a special stop, I can't hold it anymore". So when we stopped, I ran like hell to the bathroom and farted up a storm!" lol, but I sure felt a little better getting back on that bus!!!!! But seriously though....United Bros. is da BOMB!! They leave from Brooklyn, Queens and Manhattan. OH!!!!!! And CORKY TELLS YOU WHERE TO SIT. So you don't have to worry about all that coordinator saving seats for her click b.s. Gotta run. Hugs to all, Lisa

bryanssong · #15 08-01-2003, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by lisac117
. And Corky will let you know in a NY minute "NO SH%ITTING on the bus, and if you're "friend" is visiting, NO CHANGING your pad on the bus. TELL the coordinators and they'll tell him we have to stop. Let me tell you all a funny story....the last time I went up, coming home....my stomach was TORE UP!!!! From that nasty ass artificial food in the vending machine. I couldn't take it anymore. So I told the coordinator "we need to make a special stop, I can't hold it anymore". So when we stopped, I ran like hell to the bathroom and farted up a storm!" lol, but I sure felt a little better getting back on that bus!!!!!

too bad he doesnt go to odensburg