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MontanaJim Member # 2323	posted Hey, can somebody tell me how the thruway bus services works? lets say for example i want to take a train from salt lake to emeryville. i want to catch the thruway bus in idaho. do i get a ride on the bus for free to connect to the train if i buy my ticket in advance?
vincen47 Member # 2201	posted Your tickets will include a separate bus ticket that looks like a regular amtrak ticket. Use this just as you would on the train. The driver will collect your ticket before or after you board. You'll probably be riding with several other people making the same connection, along with others who are using the bus for their entire journey. Book through Amtrak as if you were taking the train for the entire route, selecting your city pairs for where you want to go. They will take care of the rest. For example, I often travel to Rockford, Illinios. I take the bus from Lansing to Battle Creek-Train to Chicago-Bus to Rockford. I just book online LNS to RCK. I get 6 tickets in the mail for the round trip. [This message has been edited by vincen47 (edited 01-28-2004).]
MontanaJim Member # 2323	posted thanks for the info vincen47!
traveler Member # 1415	posted A nice thing about the bus connection is the bus always waits no matter how late the train.
traveler Member # 1415	posted Unless the terminus is a station.
Sheriff Member # 2521	posted Shanghi,You can take the Amtrak thruway bus from any town we service and pay the bus driver for that portion of the trip or you can buy your tickets on line and have them mail to you. I DO say them because remember you can NEVER take an Amtrak bus without making a train connection. It is not allowed. Vincen47 is just a little wrong about people taking the bus for their entire trip. Amtraks rules are in order to take a bus you have to pay for a train connection. Now it doesn't mean you are obligated to take that train but you do have to pay it. As of a couple of years ago Amtrak now cover's more miles with their feeder bus connections Gray Hound buses nation wide. Back to paying the fair on the bus. Most of the time the bus driver will request your ID and a $20 bill (if the fare is less than $20) and he will keep it until you arrive at the train station ticket office to make sure you do buy a train ticket to go with the bus ticket. There is no free ride.
vincen47 Member # 2201	posted I'll clarify myself... In Michigan, Indian Trails bus line runs statewide routes that include portions that are thruway connections. Some people take the bus for their entire trip, say, to Chicago, while others (myself included) only use it for amtrak connections. Same bus, same route. I'm not aware if other states have Amtrak thruway connections that are also part of an existing intercity bus system.
Sheriff Member # 2521	posted My appologies Vincen47. I thought you were talking strickly about the Amtrak bus connections.

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