All aboard the Megabus – trips to L.A. just a buck

Megabus relaunched its one-stop bus service to downtown Los Angeles on Wednesday, after dropping the route more than four years ago. In doing so, it has pitted its double-decker buses, similar to the ones run by the RTC, against the Greyhound Express service that began in November with conventional buses upgraded from normal standards.

Despite $1 promotional fares and the fact that Megabus touts its appeal to people who would otherwise drive, only 27 passengers boarded the bus for its 7:45 a.m. departure to Los Angeles. The vehicle has a of capacity of 80 seats.

Company spokesman Mike Alvich explained, "It looks like it will take a while for people to find out about us."

However, those buses coming to Las Vegas were close to full, Alvich said.

Rocio Cazarin put her mother, Lydia Cazarin, on the inaugural run. Rocio Cazarin said she bought a ticket for herself in January.

"I'm only going for 24 hours, but why not? It's a dollar," she said.