- Very economical
- No advance reservations required
- Generally reliable service
- Fewer schedule choices than train
- Traffic and weather can impact schedule
- No internet service
- Smaller, less comfortable seats than train
- Round-trip service between Providence and NYC is approximately $82 for one full-fare adult ticket.
- Flexible travel fares, valid for any schedule, are good for up to one year and cost minimally more.
- Bus takes approximately 3 hours and 45 minutes from Port Authority in NYC to the bus terminal in Providence, RI.
- Advance reservations not required. Seats are first come, first serve.
- New, Priority Boarding service is available for $5 one-way, and will permit you to board early.
- Don't be alarmed if the bus line is overflowing - Peter Pan may add another bus to accommodate all ticketed passengers.
- Offers services between New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington D.C. Find Bus Schedules
In Providence, you can hop on the Peter Pan Bus(formerly Bonanza) from two terminals. Since the queue for the bus during peak times gets long fast, you need to line up early (approx. 30 min) to make sure you aren't stuck in the seat next to the loo. With under-the-bus storage, you can tote a suitcase with you; overhead compartments are large enough for smaller bags like computer cases and backpacks. Seats vary in comfort level and quality based on the age of the bus, but have been clean and adequate (albeit a bit tight) on every trip I've taken. There are no arm rests between seats, so hope to be seated alone, but be prepared to get a little cozy with your neighbor. There are small, drop-down trays in the seat backs to use as workspace or to hold a drink. Outlets for earphones are located here, as well, or in the ceiling above your seat. All of the buses are supposed to show a movie, but I have experienced "technical" difficulties on many a bus journey making the movie a non-issue.
Working in transit is more challenging on the bus than the train - limited phone conversations permitted and no wireless service, but my Blackberry has worked fine on every trip and I rather like ignoring my bosses calls en route. On the numerous trips I have made between Providence and NYC, service was on-time a majority of the time. That said, I make it a point to travel during times when I think traffic will be lighter.
At approximately $80 round-trip, Peter Pan Bus offers a comparable journey to Amtrak (tickets start at $108 round-trip for regional service but go up significantly for peak travel times).