Originally Posted by
chgoeditor
When you think about it, transportation companies should appreciate passengers who want to buy two tickets for one individual. The passenger and his or her luggage are still likely to weigh less than two passengers and two sets of luggage, so the transportation provider has lower fuel costs. And arguably, there is some small amount of risk potential attached to each customer. One less customer equals one unit of reduced risk.
I don't think the extra passenger's weight matter at all on a BUS.
And although transporting one less needy passenger is good, what if there are people who cannot fit on the bus simply because someone bought an entire row for himself? They will cause much more disruption than an extra normal passenger if you don't let them board. Ergo, if you are the bus driver you let them board. It's as simple as that.
I think most long distance bus companies still allow on-board ticketing. At least Flixbus does, looking at their website, which is a major bus company in Europe. It's of course different if a company wouldn't allow it.
You can also book your trips on the phone by contacting our customer service line (+49 30 300 137 300*), at our ticket outlets/travel agencies or directly with the bus driver. Please note that on the bus, you will pay the normal price (for adults and children) and will only be able to purchase a ticket if there are free spaces available. Special and reduced prices as well as group discounts are no longer available when purchasing on the bus, unfortunately. The receipt for cash payments at the bus also serves as the ticket/booking confirmation.
On an airplane, yes the extra passenger's weight does matter a bit more. And you can't just exactly walk through security, walk onto the tarmac, up the stairs then buy your plane ticket. Ergo: you will never be able to see if there were free spaces or not if you never fly.