Absolutely horrible experience. Not only is the new location for coach buses very far away from the O’hare airport, there’s zero signage telling you where to go. I was directed to the bus/shuttle section, where I waited for over an hour until someone else found out they moved Van Galder/Coach to a whole new location, only accessible by train. Not a single person answered the phone when I tried calling customer support to help me multiple times. On top of missing both the 5pm and 6pm buses because of this, the driver for the 7pm bus on 8/8 was yelling at everyone, swerving all over the road, and when we had to let more people onto our bus at the Rockford stop he started yelling at them too. I’ll never use Van Galder again.
The mask “requirement” is not being enforced in December 2021, even as the buses are running the fullest I’ve ever seen. Maskless driver said nothing to multiple maskless passengers. They may still be the most convenient option to get to O’Hare, but the advertised safety precautions do not match the on-board reality.
The checkout process when buying my ticket included terms and conditions that stated that pets are allowed in a carrier under the seat in front. When we arrived at the terminal, the driver and the clerk rather unpleasantly waved a brochure at me that stated that pets are prohibited. It took four calls and a week and a half to have someone call me back. I was promised a refund, which I have not received. I was told the terms and conditions were copied from an old site and would be changed; they have not been updated as of today some two weeks later. If you have spent money on travel plans and are counting on a guaranteed ride to the airport, I can't recommend Van Galder at all, with a pet or otherwise. Their error cost us about $600 in having to pay for parking and change a return flight, but was met with relative indifference at their mistake.
Needed to take the bus to O’Hare today. Had been told by corporate that I could buy the tickets on the bus. Got on the bus, bus driver, Tony told me if there was an attendant in the station that I had to buy them in the station. Because I had been sick all day, my 2 kids, ages 14 and 16 grabbed my wallet and went into the station to purchase the tickets . The bus driver said I should go with them. I said they would be okay. He said their tickets are $10, I said I know, they know that. My kids bought the tickets, came back and told me that the attendant charged them $90 for our tickets when they should have been $45. I went inside. The attendant just started a credit. No offer of apology. The bus driver followed me in and said “I told you so”. I asked the attendant why he charged my kids adult price for child tickets. He very rudely said because they asked for 3 tickets, they did not ask for 1 adult and 2 child. He knew my kids were kids. He did not ask them how old they were. Even the bus driver knew that guy was going charge them for 3 adult tickets.But he didn’t tell me that. He just told me to go with them. Clearly this guy in the bus station does this all the time. If you don’t ask, they are not going to give you child rates. But it was not only that that bothered me, the guy was so rude, and then the bus driver jumped in too as if either of them had a leg to stand on. I said to the ticket taker, shame on you for not asking my girls how old they are. They are clearly young. Shame on you for taking advantage of people and overcharging them when you have prices for kids. The bus driver teamed up against me and said he told me to come inside. He never told me the guy would take advantage of my kids if I didn’t go inside. There was a huge scene in the bus depot and the bus was 15 minutes later departing as a result. depot.
Wow, today of all days WEDNESDAY. Planned way ahead for the bus trip to Ohare. NOW the bus is late. Come on Van Galder get more busses going. This bus is over booked and late. I have used this service many years....take head of this meassage and get your act together. God bless our travels.
The schedule is very convenient for college students who travel from Janesville to Madison on a daily basis. Thank you!
I have used Van G. buses for 6 year's now, and had best time because I can trust the company to get me to O'Hare & bus drivers are the best
Awesome service, easy to get to O'HARE and downtown Chicago. Cheap prices, amazing buses, and the drivers and staff are pretty cool too!
Always ride this bus from chicago airport to madison wisconsin.Everytime i go out of state or my family and i go out of the country.Cheap price and the drivers are so nice and cool.
Parking expectations are NOT well marked at the location. Little signage and NONE actually on the door of the station
