When business travel ceased during the pandemic, Vonlane was forced to cut one of their most popular routes: Dallas to Oklahoma City. Now, six years later, company officials say they are in a position to once again provide an alternative option to Interstate 35 traffic and the stress of flying.
Starting Sept. 8, the luxury motor coach company will begin offering 26 weekly services.
The route’s relaunch not only reflects popular demand but also the increase of regional travel. The first out of state route for Vonlane, which originated in Dallas, was the Oklahoma City service.
“We are now seeing…levels that indicate this route is, once again, viable for both leisure and business travel,” said Alex Danza, founder and CEO of Vonlane. “We are also a stronger company than we were in 2020 – more cities, more customers and a better operation than the one that paused this route.”
Travelers departing from Dallas will board at the DoubleTree by Hilton Dallas-Love Field at 3300 W. Mockingbird Ln. and arrive at the Omni Oklahoma City Hotel at 100 Oklahoma City Blvd. Sunday through Friday, coaches depart both cities at 10:15 a.m. and 2:15 p.m. On Saturdays, departures leave Oklahoma City at 9 a.m. and Dallas at 1 p.m.
Offering leather seats, on-board WiFi and an attendant, Vonlane’s one-way fare for the journey is $129.
Vonlane is not partnered with local public transportation authorities or rideshare companies.
“We design around that problem instead of partnering around it,” Danza said when asked about working with other transportation agencies. “Our stops are at hotels in the middle of business districts, not at terminals on the outskirts, so for most of our customers the last mile is a short walk or a short ride.”
Dallas to Oklahoma City is a popular route for business travelers, college students and weekend visitors, Danza said. The company’s revival of the service points to a demand for transportation options beyond driving and flying.
“Every coach we run takes cars off I-35, and we are glad to contribute to that,” Danza said. “I’m not going to tell you a private bus company solves I-35, but what I will tell you is that nearly every customer on this route would otherwise be driving it alone, and now they have a better option.”