Looking for a cheap, fun way to get home for spring break?  Interested in an easy trip to New York City with some friends? There is currently a mode of transportation which allows simple travel from Pittsburgh to other select locations in the United States and Canada, and it is called Megabus. “Megabus is definitely cheaper than flying or driving. It will take longer than a plane would, but they have Wi-Fi, and I’ll be with my friends so it’ll go by fast,” said Charlotte Exton, a freshman acting major in an interview in the Point Cafe on Friday. She is going to New York with two friends for spring break.Megabus is an inter-city bus service that aims to appeal to the needs of college-aged students, and it has become increasingly popular in the Pittsburgh area. According to www.megabus.com, in the past five years it has served over seven million passengers in nearly 50 major cities. Tickets are priced as low as $1, which is record-breaking for a bus company, and can be purchased via the Internet or phone.”I rode to New York and the price was reasonable,” said Glenna Clark, a sophomore dance major, in an interview in the Point Cafe on Wednesday. “There was a mixture of all kinds of people, young and old.”The Megabus stop in Pittsburgh, located at 10th St. and Penn. Avenue beneath the David L. Lawrence Convention Center,  offers transportation to Camden, Pa., Harrisburg, New York, Philadelphia, Washington D.C. and State College. From those stops, connections can be made to multiple cities in Midwest and northeast America.While Megabus is becoming more popular, it still faces competition from Dallas-based Greyhound, a nationwide intercity busing company. According to www.greyhound.com, Greyhound serves over 2,300 destinations and carries 13,000 people daily.”I know people who have [ridden] the Megabus, but I’m afraid of overcrowding.  I just stick with what I know,” said Chelsea Schneider, a sophomore cinema and digital arts major, in an interview in the Point Cafe last Wednesday. She has traveled by Greyhound over 10 times, and said there are always a variety of people, but “considering the quality of the ride, it is overpriced.”  Megabus has expanded its amenities, as well. Logging onto Facebook, checking e-mail and doing research for schoolwork are all feasible thanks to Megabus’ free Wi-Fi. It is possible to stay connected to the Internet for the duration of a trip, which is important for many travelers. Power outlets and large windows are also provided.Megabus’ goal is to get people out of their cars and enable them to recognize environmentally safer transportation options. In 2009, Megabus participated in the Green Coach Certification Pilot Program, sponsored by the University of Vermont. According to a press release, the company was selected “based on their existing and emerging efforts to increase their environmental stewardship.””I’m a big ‘green machine,’ so that makes me more eager to ride it,” said Exton.According to a release published by PR Newswire in Dec. 2009, Megabus received the Green Coach Passenger Miles certification, which means they met or exceeded an average of 148 passenger miles per gallon. Megabus management also keeps track of the amount of time the buses are idle, which reduces the fleet’s carbon emissions.Megabus can be a fun and inexpensive way to get home, visit family or make a weekend getaway to an exciting city. Giving Megabus a try is also an excellent way to help the environment while saving money. Visit www.megabus.com for ticket prices and further details.