I was the victim of some false advertising today as I sat in traffic on the Delaware Memorial Bridge.

There was a bus nearby – a Bolt Bus – with an advertisement for $1 fares.

With my trips upcoming to Baltimore and New York, it didn’t sound like too bad an option.  I love the convenience of having a car, but for a freaking dollar I think I could make due without one for a few days.

Of course, the deal is nowhere as sweet as it seems.  It took me a long time to figure out, but I finally found what was going on in the deep, dark depths of their website:

How do I get a $1.00 ticket?

Every schedule will sell at least one $1.00 ticket. The $1.00 ticket will be sold at random and generally within the first handful of seats sold. The earlier you book your ticket, the greater your odds are of grabbing a seat for a buck.

Well, if that doesn’t sum up what is wrong with advertising these days, I don’t know what would.

But the normal tickets aren’t that bad ($15-$30), and you can travel a lot of the North East via Bolt Bus (Boston to Baltimore). The buses have wireless Internet, too.

Just an FYI to those of you who are without cars or hate driving – no more excuses for not wandering.

I’m truly annoyed by that advertisement, though, so I’m taking my car to both Baltimore and New York.

That’ll show ’em.

Okay, Philly tonight.  Looks like we’re headed to Old City to check out Race Street Cafe.

Looking forward to a cold brew in this relentless heat (I have seen the leaves on the trees move only once or twice all day).