Greyhound welcomes the MCI D4505 Buses

I bet you didn’t think it was possible, but it’s true – Greyhound buses have gotten even more luxurious! With the recent introduction of a new fleet of MCI D4505 buses in 2010 to a select few routes, you can now recline in a pleather seat, stretch your legs a little farther, and surf the internet via a wireless connection. If that sounds too good to be true, it probably is, but the new fleet of buses is still an improvement over the older models. Although they do boast those aforementioned amenities, as I sit in one of the new buses writing this article, my laptop is telling me that the Greyhound Wireless network has no internet access. However, my nose is telling me that this bus is the cleanest bus I’ve ever been on.

Internet troubles aside, the new buses really are a step up from some of the questionably-discoloured and faded fabric seats of the 90s. With some buses more than ten years old, sitting in a bus that hasn’t had much chance to get grubby is a practically a dream come true. The MCI D4505 buses seat 50 passengers rather than 55, improving leg room and backpack space. There are also electrical outlets under each seat to keep your laptop running the whole trip. These buses are more fuel-efficient, wheelchair-accessible, and equipped with a 3-point seatbelt system. Realizing that most people are entertained by their mp3 players, smartphones, and computers, Greyhound also did away with the overhead TVs.  The new buses also have open-concept overhead storage instead of the old airplane-like compartments and generally feel roomier because of the fewer seats.

Now don’t go running to buy a ticket just to ride a new bus because you might not get to ride one. The majority of Greyhound’s fleet still consists of the old models, and the buses assigned to each route are always  subject to change.  If you frequent Toronto, you’ve probably been on a G4500 bus, which entered service in 2002. If you’re unlucky, however, you may end up with one of the older models from 1995 or 1989. In total, there are over 400 buses that service Greyhound routes across Canada, most of which are used in south-central Ontario. Sadly, there are only 131 of the new MCI D4505 buses, and most of them service American routes. However, if you’re lucky enough, you may be able to ride in style to T-dot sometime soon.