7Bus Now Servicing BoltBus Routes From Riverhead

Customers looking to book a trip to New York City on the BoltBus from Riverhead have found that the 7Bus company has rebranded the line.

Mike Schoolman, president of 7Bus, said that his company had originally had a license agreement with BoltBus, which ran from December through June.

"We came to an amicable resolution with BoltBus, but we decided to rebrand and go with our own company," Schoolman said.

According to BoltBus reps, the Hampton Luxury Liner was a subcontractor for BoltBus on its Long Island Service, and chose to move the service out under a different name on July 1.

The decision, Schoolman said, was based on customer feedback that indicated riders wanted options, such as a commuter pass, that weren't possible with the BoltBus system.

7Bus, he said, offers a monthly commuther pass, as well as interisland trips from Riverhead to Ronkonkoma and Melville — as well as a new station added at the Southampton train station.

Other amenities include free wifi onboard the buses, personal power outlets, leather seats, individual cup holders, free parking at the bus pickup locations, hotel lobby waiting areas, and fares beginning at $7.

"While we liked working with the BoltBus, this decision gave us more flexibility," Schoolman said.

So far, Schoolman said, riders have embraced the 7Bus, and business has been "steadily improving."

Customers, he said, particularly like the $480 commuter pass, which gives riders either 20 round-trip tickets or 40 one-way tickets, that must be used within 30 days of purchase.

Riverhead customers can catch the bus at the same location where they boarded the BoltBus, in the parking lot outside the Hilton Garden Inn on Route 58.

"These are all really good things, with additional enhancements to make our product better and help us to grow the business," Schoolman said.

Riverhead riders who had vouchers or rewards trips with BoltBus can call 7Bus customer service to have them honored, he said.

The routes from Riverhead to New York remained the same, he added.

Additional expanded routes to Nassau County are slated for fall, Schoolman said.

In November, BoltBus, known for low fares between such locations as New York City, Boston, and Philadelphia, announced that it would launch new, non-stop service between Long Island and Manhattan.

BoltBus, which offers reserved seats, free wi-fi, and fares as low as $1, still operates from New York City to its other destinations, including Boston, Washington, DC, Philadelphia, Newark and Baltimore.