Megabus Returns to Los Angeles

An express bus service with fares as low as $1 is rolling back into Los Angeles' Union Station next month after a four-year hiatus.

Megabus.com plans to relaunch its Los Angeles hub with service to San Francisco, San Jose, Oakland and Las Vegas. San Francisco will serve as a second hub in California.

Megabus operated briefly from Los Angeles in 2007 but cancelled service after ridership did not meet expectations. They believe that with the help of social media outlets like Twitter and Facebook, this time will be different.

The company hopes to provide an alternative transportation method for West Coast customers looking to avoid the high gas prices. The bus line will offer free onboard WiFi, power outlets, bathrooms, heating and air conditioning.

Customers can begin to purchase tickets on Wednesday at megabus.com and the first trips will begin on Dec. 12. Ticket prices range from $1 to around $25, but most seats are priced between $5 to $9.

As an opening promotion, the company will offer $1 trips for all seats and all trips in California during its first week of service.

Megabus launched in 2006 in nine Midwest cities. Over the last six years the service has expanded to over seventy locations spanning from California to Maine and has served over 22 million passengers.