OurBus Review [2024]: Key to Cheaper Bus Fares in the U.S?

Are you looking to travel northeast of the United States and are considering using OurBus? Before you do that, find out everything there is to know about OurBus and its services. Then, you can decide if it's the right option for you! 

There are almost too many options to choose from when it comes to finding the best possible transport when traveling. Buses, trains, flights, and more.

If you're thinking of using flights, this hack on how to get cheap flights is gold.

If you're considering buses, there are a few bus companies that have been reviewed here on Pilot's blog, such as Megabus. But, before you decide which bus company to use, be sure to explore your options. You can then decide whether to book directly or use a third-party service like Busbud.

A bus company that has gained popularity in the past couple of years is OurBus. OurBus is one of the most well-known companies in the northeastern states of the USA. If you're unfamiliar with who OurBus is, this article is here to guide you. I'll delve into who OurBus is and if its services are as stellar as it claims. 

Time to dive right in! 

What is OurBus?

OurBus is a bus company that runs through the city of New York. It was founded in 2016 and has expanded its network to include intercity and commuter bus services. 

OurBus connects over 100 cities and towns across the US. It goes through the state and many others, including New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and others. 

Contrary to popular belief, OurBus is actually a technology company. It doesn't own or operate any buses. Rather, OurBus is a platform that chooses its bus routes based on popular demand through crowdsourcing, the process of collecting mass amounts of valuable data on the internet for business purposes. 

2 major bus classes available on OurBus are Commuter and Intercity. The main difference between the buses is the distance they need to travel. They're all modern vehicles with spacious interiors, and both feature all free amenities. 

As an intercity and commuter bus company, the schedule of OurBus is constant and accommodating, so you can always find a bus when and where you need it. 

They even offer charter rentals if you have a large group and want to have a charter, mini, or party bus all to yourselves. 

Although OurBus is considered fairly budget-friendly, it offers some decent amenities, such as free WiFi, charging points at your seat, restrooms, and more. 

How to Book a Ride With OurBus

One of the best aspects of OurBus is that you can easily book your ride on their app or website. 

For the website, here's how it works: 

• Log in to OurBus.com on your device 
• Enter the departure and arrival destination 
• If you don't know how close the nearest pickup is, you can enter the state, and the available stations will appear
• Select the departure date
• Select the return date if you're planning a round-trip voyage
• Choose how many passengers will be traveling 
• Select the bus that works with your schedule
• Input your personal information to sign in
• Complete the purchase with your card details

The ticket will then be sent to your email. You can print the ticket or use the digital version on your phone when you arrive at the station.

To book through the app:

• Download the OurBus app for Android or iOS
• Type in the origin location in the app
• Click on the city
• Type in the destination location in the app
• Enter the date you wish to travel (and return)
• Ticket will be saved to the app and can be opened for reference or tracking at any time

That's all there is to it!

Cancellation and Refund Policy of OurBus

The next aspect of OurBus that you should be aware of is the company's cancellation and refund policy. 

So here's the deal. You can cancel your OurBus ticket up to 30 minutes before the scheduled department time. But you won't get a refund to your bank account for the ticket. 

Instead, the amount you spent will be added to your online OurBus wallet. The funds can then be used to book a ticket later. 

There are 2 ways to cancel your ticket. You can either access the original confirmation ticket in your email or sign in to your OurBus account on the website. Either way, you'll see the option next to your trip description: "Cancel Ticket." 

Once you opt to cancel, you'll automatically find the ticket amount in your OurBus Wallet. 

There's a little catch, though. The cancellation must be completed at least 30 minutes before the scheduled departure time. So, if you miss your bus or are running late, you won't be able to cancel and get a voucher to use in the future. 

OurBus FAQs

If you want to know exactly what to expect when riding with OurBus, you're not alone! To make your trip a little easier, I've gathered some of the most frequently asked questions about OurBus. 

Q: What amenities does OurBus offer?

A: All OurBus buses have comfortable reclining seats, clean restrooms, charging ports, free water bottles, and modern technology that allows you to track buses. Note: WiFi is available on most but not all buses. 

Q: Will I be refunded if I miss the bus?

A: Unfortunately, if you miss the bus, you won't receive a refund. You need to purchase a new ticket for a later time. 

Q: Do I need to print my OurBus ticket?

A: No! You can show the ticket on your phone to the driver. 

Q: How much luggage can I bring?

A: One checked bag per ticket. One checked bag to be placed in the cargo and one handbag to bring on the bus are allotted for each ticket purchased. If you have extra luggage, you must buy another ticket. 

Q: Is OurBus and BestBus the same?

A: No, they're not the same. BestBus was formally known as DC2NY.

Q: How do I reach OurBus customer service?

A: The easiest way to reach customer service is via Live Chat. You can also email at pr@ourbus.com, or talk via phone at 1-844-800-6828.

If you have more questions, you should visit OurBus' FAQ page on their website. 

OurBus Amenities

As stated earlier, OurBus doesn't own its buses. Not to worry, it claims that all buses with its brand name are equipped for a comfortable ride. Some of the features it boasts of are:

• Free WiFi 
• Sanitized bathrooms
• Reclining seats 
• Power outlets
• Free water bottles
• GPS tracking technology

As a side note, its GPS tracking technology available on all OurBus trips is equipped to track your bus in real-time. The GPS tracking is accessible via the OurBus app on iOS or Android. You can also tap on the link in your boarding pass email. 

You can also choose to share your ride path with friends. Just tap on the "Share ETA" feature on the app or your mobile boarding pass to send the tracking link directly to others.

What's Not to Like About OurBus

Though budget-friendly, OurBus chooses its bus routes through crowdsourcing, meaning it has some drawbacks:

Late Arrival or Early Departure

Buses have been known to leave before the scheduled departure time, which means you run the risk of missing your bus if you actually show up on time. Many complaints have also occurred about the buses showing up minutes or even hours late. 

Overcrowding

They've been complaints about OurBus seats being crowded and uncomfortable. The seats are cramped and sometimes too close to each other, meaning there might be too many people and not enough legroom.

Unstable WiFi 

OurBus claims free WiFi on all its vehicles, enabling you to connect to the internet during the trip. But, the WiFi connection is only reliable if the cellular signals are strong. Meaning, there might be areas where you lose service.

No Option for a Full Refund

OurBus tickets are non-refundable. You can cancel your ticket up to 30 minutes before departure. When you cancel your ticket, the money gets transferred to OurBus Wallet. This means you're not refunded your cash. You can only use it to purchase another ticket on the OurBus app or website.

Is OurBus Worth It?

OurBus is worth it overall. It's known for being easy to use, comfortable, and professional. Most customers who have reported back agree. 

That being said, there are a few complaints that OurBus has let people down. 

One of the most common issues people faced was that the buses were overcrowded, making the journey less comfortable than it could have been. 

Many others have stated that their trips were canceled or rescheduled at the last minute. They couldn't get a refund but could only use the money to book a different bus. 

Some of OurBus reviews have also claimed to experience unprofessional and uncaring bus drivers during their trips.

Still, based on research, personal experience, and reading these reviews carefully, I can confidently say that OurBus generally provides a safe, comfortable, and reliable travel experience. 

Our Rating: 3.1/5

Pros

• In-bus amenities
• Convenient online booking
• Easy to adjust rides with no fee charged 
• GPS tracking 
• Affordable prices
• Sufficient options for scheduling 

Cons

• Unreliable customer service phone line
• Bus arriving late or leaving earlier than scheduled
• Overcrowding
• Unstable WiFi 
• No option for a full refund

Pilot Is Here for You

Though OurBus isn't the perfect service, if the schedule and price suit your travel needs, it's certainly a good option! 

A way to ensure your travel goes as smoothly as possible is to plan your trip ahead of time. A travel planning app that'll come in handy for your various needs is Pilot.