RedCoach is an intercity bus service that serves many cities/towns in Texas and Florida. This bus promotes spacious seats and extra leg room. One of RedCoach direct routes that I took was from Dallas to Houston. There was one break stop near Madisonville Texas. The ride between Dallas to Houston was around four hours (including break in Madisonville).
The cost for this one way ride was $15. You can purchase the ride (and select a seat) on the RedCoach Website. For more information about RedCoach, please visit their website at: https://www.redcoachusa.com
The Ride
Locations
RedCoach does not have their own building or station. They use a designated bus stop (or a curb) to pickup/drop off passengers. RedCoach does not offer meals onboard. However, passengers can bring their own meal on the bus.
Before boarding, the bus operator will check for government issue identification (passport, state ID or state license). After verifying, he will take the luggage (if brining a luggage), and store the luggage the luggage compartment.
Dallas
In Dallas, the RedCoach Dallas Bus Stop location: Omni Hotel in Downtown Dallas (555 S Lamar St, Dallas, TX 75202).
Public Transit Option
Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) is the main transit agency for the Dallas area. Also, DART has the largest light-rail network in North America. There are many DART bus and rail lines close to the designated bus stop. The nearest station is Eddie Bernice Johnson (EBJ) Union Station. In that station:
- DART Rail Blue and Red Lines
- Trinity Railway Express (TRE) Commuter Train to Irving and Fort Worth
- Dallas Streetcar to Oak Cliff
Houston
In Houston, the RedCoach Houston Bus Stop is location: Courtyard by Marriott Hotel in Downtown Houston; address of this hotel is: 916 Dallas St, Houston, TX 77002.
Public Transit Option
Houston METRO is the main transit agency to get around the Houston area. There are multiple bus stops and a rail station that is near to the RedCoach designed bus stop.
Seats
On the bus, the bus seating configuration is two by two. On this journey, I’ve selected 1D before purchasing my ride on RedCoach website.
The seats can be recline if feeling sleepy and the middle handle can be raised to combine two seats into one.
The leg room is generous and the seats were comfortable.
Above the seats were the personal air vent and lights.
The electrical outlet is located at the bottom of seats.
Lavatory
The lavatory is located at the back of the bus. In the lavatory, the room is small. Based on my observation, the lavatory had a strange odor. Unfortunately, the water sink was not working. A gel sanitizer was in placed instead.
10 Minutes Break
The bus stops at a Shell Gas Station for 10 minutes. During the break, passengers can board off the bus and purchase some snacks or meals at the gas station. The address of this Shell Gas Station is: 23456 Old San Antonio Rd, Normangee, TX 77871.
The Verdict (my opinion)
The ride experience was smooth and the seats were comfortable. Especially, that the price that I’ve purchased was $15 one way. That was cheap!
On that bus, unfortunately, the Wi-Fi on that bus did not function. But, there are electrical outlet located below the seats. As long as I recharge my devices, I am good.
One of the biggest advantages of riding RedCoach from Dallas to Houston (or vice versa) is easy access to public transportation.
Although, the only issue I have with RedCoach is the communication problem. The ride to Houston was suppose to arrive at 4:00 p.m. But the bus was twenty minutes late. It would be nice if RedCoach would send a text message or email that the bus was arriving late. Few passengers were worried that the bus may not show up.
Overall, for the low price and comfortable seat, I would ride RedCoach again!