Tech Company OurBus Launches In Austin

AUSTIN, TEXAS — OurBus, a tech company specializing in crowdsourced intercity and commuter bus routes, will launch pilot service in Texas and Oklahoma this week, offering routes connecting Austin, College Station, Dallas and Houston during peak Thanksgiving 2018 travel time.

The service starts on Tuesday, Nov. 20 through Sunday, Nov. 25. Each bus comes equipped with free bottled water, Wi-Fi, reclining seats and individual charging ports, with round-trip fares starting as low as $30. To view bus schedules, additional fares and book tickets, visit https://www.ourbus.com/bookticket.

"We’ve had our eye on Texas, and we’re thrilled to be piloting bus service here, addressing the needs of college students, local university communities and travelers on a budget," Axel Hellman, co-founder, OurBus, said in a prepared statement. “College Station, for example, has a sizeable student and faculty population that’s been underserved by existing transportation options. We want to utilize these pop-up routes to determine how we can continue to serve Texas travelers in the future.”

OurBus, which started offering commuter and intercity routes on the East Coast in 2016, is aggressively expanding to university and college towns across the country, and transportation deserts, where there are limited cost-effective transportation options, according to company officials. The company has expanded to more than 50 cities in the U.S. including New York, Washington, D.C. and Miami, most recently launching service from Washington, DC to Ithaca, N.Y. — the only company to offer such service.

Company officials said OurBus prides itself on launching pop-up routes quickly, and with schedules that take into account rider preferences, and having the ability to launch a route, in many cases, in two weeks or less. The company brings agility and creativity to the bus transportation industry; creating routes in partnership with current and future customers, via crowdsourcing and offering special service during holidays, and seasonally. To suggest a new route, visit www.ourbus.com.

By using crowdsourcing to bring efficient bus service to leisure travelers, students, and families on a budget, OurBus is bucking the traditional bus service model, which utilizes a point to point network concept, recognizing that travelers need reliable and efficient transportation that’s close to their home, with less transfers, and less time in the car, officials said.

The company has made it easy to book tickets and suggest new service, by downloading the free OurBus app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store. OurBus customers have the ability to:

• Eliminate the guesswork – track OurBus status via mobile phone
• Eliminate the hassle – no need to wait on long, slow lines at the bus station to purchase tickets
• Eliminate the stress – OurBus transportation planners share travel updates with customers in real-time and via social media

The company is now offering the OurBus Select Membership program, targeting students, frequent travelers, and families on a budget. Members will receive 50% off of 10 tickets, for $49.99. For an updated list of bus schedules and to enroll in the OurBus Select Membership program, visit OurBus.com or download the OurBus app.

About OurBus

Founded in 2016, OurBus is a technology company specializing in crowdsourced bus routes, offering a revolutionary transportation option for consumers. The company provides an affordable, mobile app-based service that gives people a say in when, where and how they travel "...with unparalleled customer service from start to finish," officials said. OurBus is based in New York City, with routes operating around the country. For more information, visit http://www.ourbus.com.

Editor's note: This story has been revised from its original version to delete reference to Oklahoma travel as that service has yet to be launched.

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