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It’s one of the most popular travel corridors in America: the trek between Washington, D.C., and New York City. Although there are several modes of transportation shuttling passengers between the two cities—including planes, trains, and bus lines—the journey is usually an onerous one thanks to overly expensive airline and Amtrak fares, or the shabby state of the buses operating the route.
One new travel company, however, is looking to alleviate some of these issues. Luxury coach bus line The Jet, which starts service on November 11, provides an ideal form of transportation connecting the two cosmopolitan cities. The company operates a fleet of four 45-foot motor coaches, each one with superior comfort and pampering amenities for just 14 passengers.
I was fortunate to step aboard for its inaugural ride. Here’s what passengers can expect from the new service.
Ideal drop-off and pickup points
The Jet uses strategic pickup and drop-off locations in each city—in convenient but low-congestion areas. In Washington, D.C., The Jet starts and completes service near Metro Center; in New York, the pickup and drop-off point is at the Hudson Yards campus. These sites offer passengers a central downtown location, close to each city's train systems while still avoiding highly-trafficked transit areas. Boarding is seamless: Arrive five minutes before your departure time, hand your luggage to the driver and check in with the attendant before settling into your reserved seat. According to its site, the company estimates most trips take about four hours.
Seats that use tech to enhance comfort
With 14 enticing seats crafted with memory foam and gel technology, each passenger is afforded a personal space to spread out in and call their own for the duration of the trip. There's an overhead compartment for small pieces of luggage, ample room for a bag in front of you as well as a hook for your handbag, plus you can kick your seat back to stretch your legs. Each seat has a deep, 70-degree recline, adjustable lumbar support, fold-out tray table, and a pneumatic padded leg rest, operated using air pressure and released by slightly moving a knob. The ride is particularly comfortable thanks to The Jet’s Hoverseats, which use motion-canceling technology to offset the majority of bumps along the way. It made for such a smooth ride that it was easy to forget I was traveling on wheels down a highway. A nice added touch was the blanket left on each seat, making it easy to curl up and get cozy.
Free drinks and light bites
Each Jet coach has its own onboard galley stocked with drinks and healthy snacks, which are included in the ticket price, so there’s no need to worry about bringing your own personal stash of water and food. The company plans to partner with local chefs and restaurants to offer a rotating menu of snack-sized food options from both cities (there was no food yet on our inaugural trip). Beer and wine are complimentary, limited to one drink an hour per passenger. An assortment of soft drinks, water, and sparkling water is also provided, as well as coffee from Italian brand Illy. Similar to an airline, every coach is serviced by an onboard attendant who will provide in-seat service.
Modern spacious bathroom
Normally, the most dreaded part of a trip by bus is the lavatory. But on The Jet, that’s not so. Unlike typical bus bathrooms, The Jet’s has a minimalist contemporary decor and it's roomy: You could easily change from casual to professional clothing before arrival if needed. The mirror over the sink and full-length mirror on the door will help with hair and makeup, and provide an overall ensemble check. The passenger-bathroom ratio is assuring, as you’ll be sharing the facility with just 13 others maximum as compared to typical coaches which accommodate 50+ passengers—plus, the attendant does frequent bathroom checks.
Free high-speed Wi-Fi
I was impressed with the reliably fast and free Wi-Fi, which The Jet dubs “HiFi WiFi.” It’s identical to what Google or Facebook campus shuttles utilize to ensure employees always have a dependable internet connection. Even if all passengers wish to stream simultaneously, the company says its Wi-Fi system can handle it.
Low price point
Another thing that travelers will find alluring about the new service? One-way tickets are just $99. Eventually, as the company expands its schedule in 2022, travelers will be able to choose from four daily departures that operate seven days a week, with departure times from both locations chosen to avoid peak congestion: 8 a.m., 11 a.m., 2 p.m., and 6:45 p.m. As the company launches, however, service will be limited to weekend travel, with coaches running Thursday to Monday: Thursday will see departure from both locations at 6:45 p.m.; Friday at 8 a.m., 11 a.m., 2 p.m., 6:45 p.m.; Saturday at 10 a.m., 4 p.m.; Sunday at 9 a.m., 12 p.m., 3 p.m., 6:45 p.m.; and Monday at 8 a.m.
Health and safety standards
Each coach has health and safety measures in place, including two Sanuvox UV air filtration systems that eliminate 99 percent of germs and bacteria. Each row of seats are also six feet apart, all crew members are vaccinated, and passengers are required to wear masks. The Jet leaves hand sanitizer on each seat and masks are readily available for any passengers who have forgotten to bring one.
