Promising to cut cost and time in half, new express bus goes to NYC from York, Lancaster

The bus trip horror stories are out there. The ones where you simply want to get away for the weekend, but instead get stuck in a layover in Harrisburg, turning a four-hour drive into a 20-hour ordeal.  

But with a new express line from York to New York City, these trips might become a lot easier and frequent for Pennsylvanians.

According to Greyhound's website, one-way tickets -- for trips that can take 8 hours or more to get New York City -- cost between $60 to $90. This new service will offer tickets for half that price and get you to NYC in about four hours. 

OurBus will offer express bus services from York, Lancaster, and surrounding Pennsylvania areas to Manhattan starting Sunday. 

"We are definitely excited about this," York city spokesman Philip Given said. "There are express buses from Washington and Philadelphia, but this region of the state has been neglected."

Lancaster is the largest city in the Northeast lacking intercity bus service, with residents relying solely on the train, said Erica Prince, senior operations coordinator at OurBus -- and round-trip tickets on Amtrak are typically more than $100. NYC to York Bus

“We’re dedicated to offering low-cost, reliable and efficient bus service to cities across the US that have been historically under served by limited transportation options,” Prince said. 

OurBus has partnered with Lancaster-based Executive Coach collaborating on bus routes, pickup locations and service times. 

Compared to other express bus lines such as Megabus or Fullington Trailways, Prince said OurBus is different because of its roots as a tech company -- they offer an app on which riders can purchase tickets and track arrival times.

Buses often have some stigma surrounding them, said Dale McMichale, owner of Executive Coach.

"People think of them as cramped, or smelly, or they think of the yellow school bus they rode in grade school," McMichael said. "But our buses are new."

They offer restrooms, wifi, charging ports and free bottled water, Prince said.

Buses pick up and drop off in Manhattan near Madison Square Park.

Monday through Saturday, the bus departs from 53 East North Street in York at 6 a.m., and on Sunday departures are set at 8 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Returning to York from New YorkCity, a bus departs at 3:20 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and at 2:20 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Sunday. 

Riders in York and Lancaster will be offered $10 one-way promotional fares through July 14 to celebrate the launch of the new bus service serving Southern Pennsylvania with additional stops in Malvern, King of Prussia and Fort Washington, Prince said.