OurBus Review: The Bus Company That Isn’t a Bus Company

I’m going to be upfront with you: I have not personally ridden OurBus. I’ve ridden Greyhound, FlixBus, Peter Pan, Trailways, Vamoose, and a handful of other regional carriers across this country. But OurBus? It only popped up on my radar when I was comparing options on Busbud for a route I was researching.

It took me a bit to figure it out, and I think it’ll be helpful for those wondering what OurBus is and if they should take it. Even their online reviews don’t do it justice.

OurBus is not a bus company. It does not own or operate any buses. It’s a technology platform that contracts with private charter bus operators, markets routes under its own brand, and sells you the ticket.

So that TL;DR of this is that before you book on OurBus, look at the actual operator on your ticket and check their reviews. They’re like a middleman for private coach bus charter companies.

What Is OurBus, and How Does It Work?

OurBus launched in 2016 and has built a network of intercity routes connecting cities across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic. They target the usual places with decent bus markets, like the Northeast Corridor and northeast college towns.

OurBus identifies demand for a route, then contracts with a vetted charter bus operator to run it. They sell tickets on their website and app, handle customer service, and manage the booking. The operator handles the actual bus.

OurBus says they vet their operators for quality and safety. And in theory, a modern charter bus from a reputable operator should be nicer than the average Greyhound. (Next time, if I’m given the choice, I may even try OurBus if all I’m left with is Greyhound or Flix.)

But on a given route, you might have multiple operators running different departures — and you don’t necessarily know which company is running your specific bus until you look closely.

On a route like New York to Boston, for example, the three buses listed on OurBus, on the same day, are operated by three different companies.

“LX Transportation LLC” operates the 11am bus, and “Luxury Vans & Shuttle Bus Corp” operates the 9am bus.

What They Advertise

On their website, OurBus promises the following on intercity routes:

• Free Wi-Fi
• Power outlets and charging ports
• Reclining seats
• Onboard restroom
• Complimentary water bottles
• Live bus tracking via their app

That’s actually a solid list, better than what Greyhound or FlixBus reliably delivers. If you get a good operator, you’ll probably get most or all of that. If you get a mediocre one, your mileage may vary.

The Quality Question: What Riders Actually Report

Reviews of OurBus are often very positive, but there are some bad reviews too.

The positive reviews tend to sound like: clean bus, professional driver, arrived on time, had good Wi-Fi, water bottles waiting on the seats.

The negative reviews tend to sound like: bus showed up late with no communication, the driver was difficult, the Wi-Fi didn’t work, the bus was older than advertised. Again, this is reliant on the operator, not on OurBus.

The ceiling is higher than Greyhound. The floor is… also potentially lower, depending on who they’re contracting with on your route on your day.

How to Know What You Might Get

Before you book OurBus, I’d recommend doing one extra step: once you identify which departure you’re considering, see if you can find out who the actual operating company is for that specific run. Then Google them. Look at their reviews independently. If they look solid, book with confidence. If the results are thin or the reviews are rough, consider whether there’s a better option at a similar price.

When you’re on the booking you click “details,” and then a sidebar will pull up.

There it will say “transportation provided by,” and then the bus company. Go look that company up.

Pricing: Seems Like a Good Deal

For a route like New York to Boston, OurBus fares typically start around $17–$25 if you book in advance, and can go higher on weekends and peak days. That’s competitive with Peter Pan and other options, and even a bit cheaper.

The pricing model does use dynamic pricing, so booking ahead helps. I’ve seen fares listed as low as $17 on weekday mornings, which is a legitimate deal for a 4–5 hour trip.

My Honest Take: Should You Book OurBus?

OurBus is probably fine most of the time. Maybe even better than fine. If I were on a route where OurBus was the only real option, or where the price was significantly lower than the competition, I’d book it without a ton of anxiety.

But if Peter Pan, a well-known and reliable operator, is available on the same route at a similar price? I’d take Peter Pan. Peter Pan is a consistent product. I know what I’m getting. OurBus is more like a roll of the dice.

Using Busbud to Compare Your Options

Before you commit to OurBus (or anything else), run the route through Busbud first. It’ll show you OurBus, Peter Pan, Amtrak, Greyhound, FlixBus, and any other carriers side by side so you can compare prices and times in one place.

That’s how I found OurBus in the first place, and it’s the smartest way to make sure you’re not leaving a better option on the table.

Tips If You Book With OurBus

Look up the specific operator before you commit. The operator name is visible somewhere in the booking process. Search for them independently and see what comes up.

Book in advance for better prices. Dynamic pricing means earlier is usually cheaper, especially on popular weekend routes.

Don’t rely on the Wi-Fi for anything critical. This is true of all buses, but especially here where the Wi-Fi quality depends entirely on the operator. I’d also bring hand sanitizer and not count on a working bathroom.

More Bus Options is a Good Thing

I’ve been living car-free in the U.S. for years, and bus travel is a big part of how that’s possible. A lot of people assume you need a car to get around this country. In many places, that’s true. But often, lots of people don’t even know these private regional bus operators exist.

The environmental case for buses over cars is also real. Even an inconsistent charter bus is moving dozens of people down I-95 who aren’t each burning their own tank of gas.

And compared to flying, which is almost always slower than the bus on short Northeast hops anyway, the difference in emissions per passenger is significant. Flying is pretty bad for the environment.

OurBus isn’t my first pick. But knowing how it works and that it exists can put you in a better position to decide when it makes sense to use it.