very good job planning my day trip to New York. I went up for ISM5
(Indie Soul Mixer 5) to network with other artists, promoters, DJs,
etc from underground independent music markets around the world.
Besides overcrowding the venue, it was a great experience!
While planning my trip, I had heard about Megabus but had never ridden
myself. So, I figured what is there to lose on a trip that costs $17
each way and has comfortable seating, two floors and free wifi?
Apparenty, that question would be answered shortly.
After running into a few of my artist friends on the bus, we had a
great ride up laughing in between naps. That was until we were dropped
off at 26th Street and 7th Ave instead of at Penn Station. It was only
a few blocks different - 31st Street and 3rd Ave. So, we didn't make a
big deal of it.
After attending ISM5 and hitting a bar afterward, I headed back to the
bus stop at Penn Station for my 2:15am return trip, since I was
scheduled to sing on Sunday morning. There was a huge crowd of people.
So, I asked around so that I would not just assume I was in the right
place. I was.
Unfortunately, at 5:30am, I was still in the right place being
harassed like a homeless person by Penn Station police. "OMG! Did the
bus not show at all," you ask? That would be correct. Fortunately, a
good friend from college was supposed to be on the same trip but
happened to live in New York. So, he offered me his couch.
While we were waiting on the bus to arrive, I had attempted to reach
MegaBus's customer service line, but of course their department would
be closed at 7pm. It would make WAY too much sense for them to be open
as long as buses are scheduled to run in case of situations like this.
After a great nap on a surprisingly comfortable couch, I called
customer service. I waited about five minutes to speak with someone,
and I was so proud of myself for the calm and extremely pleasant
demeanor I maintained while speaking with the young lady. After
explaining the situation, she placed me on hold for twenty minutes,
and call finally disconnected. However, I maintained the same gentle
tone on the second try. I DESERVE AN AWARD!!
I explained to her that my bus never showed and that I had incurred
additional expenses that come with staying overnight in a place that
is not home and missing work. She then explained to me that nothing
can be done about that besides rescheduling my trip for 11pm. Hhhh-
what????
At the most basic level if customer service, I would expect something
like, "I apologize on behalf of MegaBus. This is not something that
happens frequently, and we don't take it lightly that you have
incurred extra expenses and have missed out on an opportunity generate
income. Unfortunately, we cannot offer you financial recoupment of
your expenses, but do we value you as a customer. Will you accept a
few free rides on us?"
Because a crater had already been carved out of my budget, I didn't
have very many options. So, I accepted the 11pm trip rescheduling with
a promise to call back the next day, when management would be available.
Later, I got a call from another friend who was up for ISM5 offering
me a ride back to DC with her and a few other friends. They would be
leaving around 5pm, which sounded much better to me than 11pm. So, I
agree to ride with them and try to have my 11pm trip switched to one
on Tuesday, since I would be back in New York then to promote my show
at Sugar Bar the following day. Surely, this would not be a problem.
After all, I had just spent the night in Penn Station at MegaBus' fault.
After explaining the ordeal, she says that once a trip is rescheduled,
its final. This was neither printed anywhere on the wesite that I saw,
nor was it mentioned by the previous representative. "So...a bus
busdriver at the bus stop can do more with a pen and paper on the
street than you can do on a computer at the customer service center,"
I ask? On my way up, I had changed my reservation to an earlier time
so that I could ride up with some friends who were on an earlier trip.
Her response was that it is against their policy, in a situation like
this, to reschedule a trip that has already been rescheduled. My tone
finally changed at that point as she continued to act as if this was a
regular rescheduling. I'm trying to get the fuck home!
Needless to say, I am in the back seat of a car on my way back to DC.
I WILL NEVER RIDE MEGABUS AS LONG AS LONG AS I CAN HELP IT!!!! If you
enjoy being neglected and mistreated, go for it! By the way, the wifi
signal is very inconsistent.
..:: IMUNURMe ::..
