I enjoy it more than flying. Love the scenic view and slow pace through many towns.
Now, just make sure to ask if the bus is picking up released convicts. Chances are, if your route passes by a prison, then it will. And I’m not talking one or two. My last bus ride from St. Louis to Columbus Ohio stopped and picked up twenty cons released that day. They plan the release around the bus schedule.
They were all in orange jump suits, chained at the legs, and supplied with a bag of their belongings and release papers. They also got some money and the bus ride was free.
The only paying passengers from St. Louis were myself and a young pregnant woman. Her and I sat up front and the cons sat in back. They were not allowed to talk with one another. The driver made a few announcements telling them to be quiet, and once actually stopped the bus and threatened to call the prison and have them taken back. That stopped all the talking. The driver was extremely mean tempered. Just awful. I thought he’d make a funny Greyhound spokesman.
The bus would stop at a small town and the driver would read out the con names that were to get off. The driver removed the leg chains and told them to remove their jump suits, where they were found to have regular clothing underneath.
You’ll know these prison release buses the moment you step on. The driver compartment is completely sealed in plexiglass. And the driver is armed with pistol. No protective measures were offered to me or the pregnant woman.
The cons were all nice and made for some fantastic conversation during the stops. But they were not allowed to talk with me during the ride.
Always an adventure taking the bus.
______
I purchase autos on eBay and need to travel one way to pick up and drive home. The closer locations justify bus transportation.