Jingles is more than just a pet
May 20, 2015Company Canal directive may be tough to follow
May 20, 2015
The old bus company television commercial summed it up in a simple, sung phrase “Go Greyhound and leave the driving to us.”
And as of June 1 that’s what anyone with money for the fare will be able to do.
Greyhound officials confirmed this week that service between Houma, New Orleans and Baton Rouge will commence June 1, and that tickets can already be purchased on the Greyhound website.
Passengers, as they did until 2005, may board busses – once per day in each direction – at the Shop’n’Bag convenience store on West Park Avenue at Lafayette Street.
“We have missed Greyhound,” said Lynn Gibson, who co-owns the store with family members. “We enjoyed doing it the few years we did do it. We met a lot of interesting people. We were told we are going to be the spot for as long as we want to be. There will be one bus in and one bus out for now.”
“Customers are able to purchase tickets now for trips to and from Houma,” said Greyhound spokeswoman Lanesha Gipson. “Our fares depend on multiple factors, including purchase date, date of travel and destination. Customers can also take advantage of web fares, which are our lowest fares, advanced purchase fares, which allow customers to save when they book at least seven days in advance and our standard fares, which are our everyday fares for tickets that can be purchased at the Greyhound station, over the phone or online.”
Gibson said her store will begin selling tickets on site as soon as the electronic equipment allowing her to do so is installed.
Greyhound’s online schedules show busses leaving daily for Baton Rouge from Houma at 2:30 p.m. and arriving at 5:55 p.m. Fares are from $19 to $45.
Busses from Houma to New Orleans leaving at 2:30 p.m. and arriving at 3:35 p.m., with fares ranging from $9.50 to $23.00, depending on how they are purchased.
Package service will be provided as well.
Gibson said there are rules that must be followed by her store, among them is a ban on selling alcoholic beverages to anyone buying a bus ticket.
Once passengers arrive in New Orleans, she noted, they can transfer for busses to almost anywhere in the U.S.
And if there is one selling point she is certain could make the service popular?
“It’s a whole lot cheaper than taking a taxi.”
A Greyhound bus similar to those which will soon be picking up and discharging passengers at the Shop’n’Bag in Houma beginning June 1.
