OurBus, a tech company specializing in crowdsourced intercity and commuter bus routes, is expanding further into the Northeast, with a route connecting Washington, D.C; Philadelphia; Allentown, Pa.; and Binghamton and Ithaca, N.Y., effective September 21. Service operates on Fridays and Sundays, in partnership with Chariots for Hire, a Washington, D.C. based transportation company.

OurBus is also piloting special routes targeting students in Ithaca during the fall and Thanksgiving break, on October 5, October 9, November 20, and November 25. The company will be offering bus service from Ithaca to the following locations: White Plains, N.Y.; Albany, N.Y.; Long Island, N.Y.; Boston; Paramus, N.J.; and Stamford, Conn.

"It's extremely rare for a route of this magnitude to launch,” said Axel Hellman, co-founder, OurBus. “We are the only company offering it, connecting several vibrant, regions together seamlessly. We’re constantly listening to our customers, and there’s demand for efficient and inexpensive travel between upstate New York, and other locations beyond New York City.”

In addition to leisure travelers, many students living in Upstate New York hail from the Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. metro areas and have been struggling for an easy and affordable way to travel home to visit family and for the holidays.

“For the last decade, we’ve offered our Washington, D.C., customers efficient transportation options that meet their individual needs,” said Courtney West, president, Chariots For Hire. “We’ve brought innovation and comfort to travel, and we’re partnered with OurBus to expand to additional regions that are in dire need of new and exciting transportation alternatives.”

On OurBus, riders can be as productive or as relaxed as they want to be, with all buses equipped with free Wi-Fi, individual charging ports, bottled water, and bathrooms.

OurBus recently launched service in Newark, Del. and State College, Pa., and is expanding to more than two dozen college towns across the U.S. this year.  

The company brings flexibility and creativity to developing bus routes in partnership with current and future customers, via crowdsourcing and offering pop-up bus routes during holidays and more.

By using crowdsourcing to bring efficient bus service to leisure travelers, students, and families on a budget, OurBus — founded in 2016 — 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.