I want to take a bus to Montreal

[MattGimpin]

Am I crazy or what? I just decided last week to sit on a Greyhound bus for two or more days and 2,000 miles by myself to go visit a city whose inhabitants speak another language. Why? Because I want to, that's why.

I have been wanting to go to Montreal for several years now and I'm sick of waiting for a time when someone can go with me. I am getting older and I don't want to wait on other people to go and do the things I want to do and see the places I want to see. Why Montreal? I'm up for an adventure and I feel like it's about as different of a city from Denver as I can go to without leaving the continent. And bus tickets are so cheap that I could fund my whole trip (transportation, lodging, food) for less than the cost of a plane ticket.

So I've already decided I want to go. I guess my question to you all is AM I CRAZY?!?! What the hell am I thinking? I don't speak French. Is this even safe? Is it advisable? Is Montreal accessible? Have any of you ever ridden Greyhound before?

I'm really not too worried but the more I think about it, the more nervous I get. I know Greyhound stations are in sketchy parts of cities and I would be traveling through Chicago, Cleveland, Buffalo and Syracuse on the way there, and New York City, Newark, Philly, Pittsburgh and St. Louis on the way back. So I'm a little concerned about my safety if I'm in some sketch area in the middle of the night by myself.

But at the same time, I'm pretty confident I'll be alright. I know that being in a wheelchair makes me vulnerable and an easy target, but at the same time I feel like I am always watched over and protected. I don't dress like I have any money anyway, because I don't. Ha.

Oh yeah, and my excuse/reason for wanting to go now, next month, is the band Cake is playing at the Olympia Theater on September 11. So I'd get to spend 2 days on a bus, seeing different cities, 2 days in Montreal and get to rock out at a Cake show, and then 2 more days on a bus seeing different cities. Sounds like an adventure to me.

What do y'all think? Am I nuckin futs or what? I can do this, right?

[tooley]

Am I crazy or what?

Short answer- yes.

The bus sucks. And that's from an AB point of view. I used to go 4-5 hours to snowboard in the rockies and the only time it didn't suck was when it was a party bus. And those times the line-up to the can was the length of the bus. I had switched to rental cars- way faster and worth the gas to have wheels once you get there. (my car at the time was too unreliable for extended highway travel)

I don't know your level/severity of injury or conditions of bowel/bladder but I doubt even a low-level para would have much fun getting into and using the washroom on the bus.

Can you stand/walk? This would make things easier.

I'm a C7 quad and would never subject myself to Greyhound bus lines ever again.

Any way to take the train? I've never been on the rails, but was always tempted.

There is a member here on CC from Montreal that started a site about accessibility in various cities. Search "World on Wheels" I believe.

Good luck.

[kr420am]

Am I crazy or what? I just decided last week to sit on a Greyhound bus for two or more days and 2,000 miles by myself to go visit a city whose inhabitants speak another language. Why? Because I want to, that's why.

I have been wanting to go to Montreal for several years now and I'm sick of waiting for a time when someone can go with me. I am getting older and I don't want to wait on other people to go and do the things I want to do and see the places I want to see. Why Montreal? I'm up for an adventure and I feel like it's about as different of a city from Denver as I can go to without leaving the continent. And bus tickets are so cheap that I could fund my whole trip (transportation, lodging, food) for less than the cost of a plane ticket.

So I've already decided I want to go. I guess my question to you all is AM I CRAZY?!?! What the hell am I thinking? I don't speak French. Is this even safe? Is it advisable? Is Montreal accessible? Have any of you ever ridden Greyhound before?

I'm really not too worried but the more I think about it, the more nervous I get. I know Greyhound stations are in sketchy parts of cities and I would be traveling through Chicago, Cleveland, Buffalo and Syracuse on the way there, and New York City, Newark, Philly, Pittsburgh and St. Louis on the way back. So I'm a little concerned about my safety if I'm in some sketch area in the middle of the night by myself.

But at the same time, I'm pretty confident I'll be alright. I know that being in a wheelchair makes me vulnerable and an easy target, but at the same time I feel like I am always watched over and protected. I don't dress like I have any money anyway, because I don't. Ha.

Oh yeah, and my excuse/reason for wanting to go now, next month, is the band Cake is playing at the Olympia Theater on September 11. So I'd get to spend 2 days on a bus, seeing different cities, 2 days in Montreal and get to rock out at a Cake show, and then 2 more days on a bus seeing different cities. Sounds like an adventure to me.

What do y'all think? Am I nuckin futs or what? I can do this, right?

Really cool city. Very INACCESSIBLE. Almost every bar is either up stiars or downstairs. I wouild not recommend going without having people to bump you everywhere and forget about finding any accessible bathrooms.

[canuck]

Wouldn't recomend Greyhound either especially Greyhound Canada, the company that owns both Canadian & U.S Greyhound has pretty much abandoned Greyhound Canada, buses are breaking down left right & center. I have a friend who drives for Greyhound Canada & on a recent 4 trip shift he broke down twice, one which have been especially bad for a quad left him sitting on the side of the road for a few hours until they got a rescue bus to him

[AngelaandKC]

Went over the 4th and loved it! Train is NOT accesible but the buses were great. We stayed at the Holiday Inn off Reme Levec st. Elevators. REALLY big room.

Curb cuts in the downtown area. I really liked it! But there are lost of places you'll have problems getting into because of steps and all.

[tooley]

Train is NOT accesible but the buses were great.

I assume you mean public transportation?

[AngelaandKC]

Yes, I mean public transportation. Subway was terrible but the public buses were great. Since neither my bf nor I speak or read french we did ask people and they were very helpful.

For those who are considering driving, the street parking signs are very confusing. I asked three different people and they all read the same sign a different way...

[tooley]

For those who are considering driving, the street parking signs are very confusing. I asked three different people and they all read the same sign a different way...


Any sane person I've ever talked to that's been there states it bluntly - "don't drive in Montreal". My uncle has lived there for 40 years and he doesn't even own a car because the roads are so full of retarded frenchmen. When he comes back to Alberta he never wants to leave..