Feb 18, 2008

Leave the Driving to Them

In the old days, the slogan was "Take the bus and leave the driving to us." But over the years bus travel got a distinctly downscale reputation, and the black-smoke-belching diesel buses of the era were anything but environmentally friendly. Now, though, all that has changed. If you want to stay on the roads and see America in all of its glory, going by bus on your next vacation will allow you to sit back and enjoy the scenery while saving precious motor fuel.

"The great thing about motor coach and bus travel is that it is an environmentally friendly way to travel and it's a good value," said Peter Pantuso, president and CEO of the American Bus Association. "650 million people travel by bus every year. It's a great way to get around -- and once you're on the coach, you can go just about anywhere you want to go."

If you fear a bus trip as an endurance contest, you should know that traveling by bus can be more comfortable than ever before. "It's not your grandfather's bus anymore," Pantuso said. "You have panoramic windows, very comfortable, large seats. Many have satellite TV, some have Wi-Fi hookup for computers. Others have got individual screens and seatbacks. There are just so many amenities that make it a really comfortable way to travel."