\t\t\t\t\t\t\tA luxury bus service is now offering direct trips between Plano and Austin.<\/p>\n
Service is provided by Vonlane<\/a>, a regional transportation company that caters to business and leisure travelers.<\/p>\n The route begins at the Renaissance Dallas<\/a> hotel in Legacy West and terminates at the DoubleTree by Hilton<\/a> near Austin\u2019s Arboretum shopping center, according to Vonlane CEO Alex Danza.<\/p>\n About the company<\/p>\n Vonlane partners with hotels to operate terminals on hotel property, Danza said. Riders have access to hotel amenities such as restaurants and on-site parking garages, and the hotels make money from riders who choose to book overnight stays.<\/p>\n Danza likened his buses to \u201ca private jet on wheels.\u201d Each bus features reclining seats, free Wi-Fi and refreshments provided by on-board attendants.<\/p>\n In Texas, the company has terminals in and around five major cities:<\/p>\n AustinDallasFort WorthHoustonSan AntonioThe details<\/p>\n The Plano City Council<\/a> approved a special use permit allowing Vonlane to operate out of the Renaissance Dallas at a Dec. 8 meeting<\/a>.<\/p>\n The permit only allows the operation of a transit center in conjunction with a hotel, according to city documents. If there isn\u2019t a hotel on the property, then the special permit no longer applies.<\/p>\n Other restrictions placed on the permit include:<\/p>\n No transit bus access to Windrose AvenueTransit buses cannot be stored on the hotel property except for temporary loading and unloadingOnly one transit bus is allowed on-site at a timeThe property owner must submit a letter agreeing to prevent adverse effects in the vicinity, and can be compelled to add parking if the City Council determines a public nuisance has occurredThe addition of a privately owned regional bus route comes as Plano residents are preparing to decide whether the city will remain a Dallas Area Rapid Transit member at a special election<\/a> May 2.<\/p>\n