Luxury Bus Company ‘The Jet’ Ceases Operations Between DC and NYC

It looks like the luxury bus company The Jet is no more … at least publicly. Instead, it appears to be transitioning to charter services and being hired out for special events.

Here’s what you need to know.

The Jet Ceases Operations on February 3

The Jet says it will honor customers with tickets for travel dates before February 2 on its Washington, D.C., and New York City routes. However, tickets after February 3 “will be refunded in full next week.”

This is in response to a notice on the company’s website: “The Jet will discontinue operations on our regularly scheduled DC/NYC route and transition our fleet to a private charter, special events, and summertime service.”

If you aren’t familiar, The Jet is a luxury bus line that offered perks that you’d typically find on a private jet. These included an onboard concierge, fewer seats than a standard coach, and reclining seats. The company even partnered with Hilton’s Conrad Hotels & Resorts, offering rates at Conrad New York Midtown or Conrad Washington, D.C., for 15% off.

The Jet launched ambitiously in 2021 during a global pandemic. Sleek black buses picked up and dropped off passengers in Manhattan’s Hudson Yards neighborhood and D.C.’s Metro Center.

It’s unclear why The Jet is ceasing public operations. However, the service was notoriously pricey — tickets hovered around $150 each way — on a route with plenty of cheaper options.

Moreover, this comes amid a grim few years for the intercity bus industry, which was ravaged by the coronavirus pandemic. Last year, Coach USA, Megabus’ parent company, filed for bankruptcy. Today, Peter Pan operates many of Megabus’ routes.

How To Travel Between D.C. and New York City

Traveling between Washington, D.C., and New York City is incredibly easy. Virtually every major airline on the East Coast flies between the 2 cities. However, many travelers opt to take ground transportation, including Amtrak and intercity buses.

Other than flying, Amtrak is the fastest way to travel between D.C. and New York.

The all-business-class Acela Express can take you to either city in under 3 hours. Amtrak tickets can vary wildly in price (but are generally cheaper the further in advance you book), but the rail company frequently runs lucrative promotions. You can also use Amtrak Guest Rewards points. You can find one-way tickets between the Big Apple and the Nation’s Capital for as low as 750 points.

Finally, several bus companies operate between the 2 cities. Best Bus, Peter Pan, Our Bus, and others operate several buses daily from D.C. to New York.

Final Thoughts

Another intercity bus company is ceasing operations. The Jet, while niche, served a subset of travelers who wanted premium perks without the hassle of traversing an airport. We’ll keep an eye out for whatever comes next for this bus company.