Island Time

Megabus speeding to Galveston: New $1 route approved as academics deem bus travel "cool"

I will admit that, despite a not-so-hot track record and a cache of horrific photos depicting freak accidents and fatal crashes, I remain an unabashed fan of Megabus.

Since the no-frills carrier first arrived in Houston last June, I have boarded the bus with three girlfriends and a box of white wine for a weekend stay in New Orleans, I've taken it on a whirlwind trip around Texas and I've snagged a last-minute seat on the double-decker from Austin.

"Bus travel — now it is a cool thing, a happening sector."

It's impossibly cheap, it's relatively clean and it's convenient. The weirdos seem to be at a minimum and, in my experience, the bus always arrives on time — and sometimes early, unheard of in the transportation industry. Plus, beyond beating the hell out of driving, there's something about it that feels sort of subversive. Cool, even.

"Bus travel — now it is a cool thing, a happening sector," said Joseph P. Schwieterman of DePaul University upon the release of a recent study on the benefits and costs of public transport, confirming my belief.

Megabus has been steadily increasing its Texas routes over the past several months, adding stops in Brenham, Giddings, Katy, La Grange, Prairie View and more. And Galveston is next on its list, according to Guidry News.

Kerrville Bus Company previously operated the route between Houston and Galveston, and the island city's Intermodal Transportation Committee unanimously voted last week to endorse Megabus' request to use city right of ways until a new Downtown Transportation Terminal is complete.

"Megabus could be operating from downtown [with a stop at 20th and Market] by the end of February," John Carrara, transportation consultant for the Goodman Corporation, told the online news station. "And then they will move to the terminal when the terminal opens."

If only Megabus would install a bike rack on each vehicle, it would be a daytrippers' dream.

Megabus has received unanimous consent to use Galveston's right of ways until construction is complete on a new Downtown Transportation Terminal.

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only the best in HOU

Houston's IAH soars as 4th best airport for holiday travel in 2024

George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston

George Bush Intercontinental Airport/Facebook

Houstonians are in safe hands at George Bush Intercontinental Airport.

Houston's punctual and award-winning George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) has just been rated the fourth best airport in the country for the upcoming holiday travel season, so says a new report by travel experts Locals Insider.

The study examined the percentage of on-time departure flights at 50 of the biggest airports in America to discover the 10 best and worst airports for traveling during the holidays. Departure statistics and reasons for delays were analyzed from November 17, 2023 to January 3, 2024.

According to the report's findings, IAH had an on-time departure rate of 85.8 percent during the 2023 holiday period. That means out of the 13,921 total scheduled flights departing from the airport, only 1,976 flights were delayed. That's a pretty good track record.

IAH has been working hard to deliver the best travel experiences for its passengers, including opening its new Terminal D, investing in much-needed bathroom upgrades, showing off its award-winning art and entertainment program, and providing top notch dining experiences.

Though IAH appeared on Locals Insider's top 10 best list, Houston's William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) descended onto the travel guide's 10 worst U.S. airports for holiday travel this year.

Appearing at No. 8, HOU isn't the worst offender on the list, but its holiday season delay and cancellation rate in 2023 was 22 percent.

"Although Houston’s William P Hobby experiences fewer departing flights compared to other airports on our top 10 list, it’s still prone to disruptions," the report's author wrote. "Overall, more than one in five (22 percent) of departing flights are either delayed or canceled during the holidays."

The study's data found 1,178 holiday flights at HOU were cancelled in 2023, and only 19 were delayed.

Ranking as the No. 1 best airport for holiday travel is Washington Dulles International Airport in Washington, D.C., which had an 88.6 percent on-time departure rate.

For Houstonians that will be traveling this holiday season, Locals Insider recommended five best-practice tips for a smooth travel experience: Book an early morning flight as those are less prone to delays (additionally, book a direct flight), apply for TSA PreCheck to avoid long screening processes, and budget more time to arrive early to the airport.

The report also suggests packing light and shipping gifts to their intended destination ahead of time.

"Even the TSA recommends shipping your wrapped gifts rather than packing them in your luggage or carry-on," the report said.

The top 10 best U.S. airports for holiday travel in 2024 are:

No. 1 – Washington Dulles International
No. 2 – Minneapolis-St. Paul International
No. 3 – Salt Lake City International
No. 4 – George Bush Intercontinental
No. 5 – Ronald Reagan Washington National
No. 6 – Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International
No. 7 – Newark Liberty International
No. 8 – Detroit Metro Wayne County
No. 9 – Chicago O'Hare International
No. 10 – Charlotte Douglas International

The Bureau of Transportation Statistics defines the Thanksgiving travel period from November 17-28, and the winter holiday travel period from December 14 through January 3, 2024. The study included data from both holiday travel periods, sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics, Transportation Security Administration (TSA), and Airline Service Quality Performance System (ASQP).