You don’t really associate a bus with luxury. It is generally part of a mass transit system. It is supposed to be utilitarian, efficient and affordable. Luxury is the last thing you expect in a bus. I mean Greyhound with all its efficiency and affordability is considered no more than a necessary evil. But Japan has managed to transform a bus into a luxurious mode of transport. They have designed the interiors of a bus to match the first class cabins of wide bodied aircrafts. The seat modules are extremely luxurious and are called cocoons.
It has not only made bus travel luxurious but stylish and fashionable. The luxury and the comfort available on the bus are to be seen to be believed. We checked out some of the buses plying between Osaka and Tokyo. It is called the Willer express. Since the luxury seat module takes up more space, only twelve people can sit in the bus. But the facilities each of those people get is phenomenal. Every seat has its own personal relaxation pod, complete with a seat that reclines 140 degrees, a personal entertainment system, free WiFi, dedicated power outlets, and high partitions to separate you from your annoying fellow passengers.
Like everything else bus travel and air travel have its pluses and minuses. Airplanes don’t get stuck in traffic jams like a bus can. In all likelihood you can catch a bus from somewhere near your office where as you have to travel some distance to catch a flight. Plus you don’t have to go through an elaborate security check to board a bus. The cost of one way trip on these luxury buses is $130 which is much cheaper than a bullet train. It does take a little more time but you get much more comfort and luxury.
Via: ohgizmo, travel.willer
