No-frills Megabus makes unscheduled side trip to Harrisburg on way to Philadelphia

Pennsylvania cities must all look alike to Canadian bus drivers. Either that or this is a lesson in "you get what you pay for."

What other explanation could there be for an unexpected detour taken on a supercheap bus ride from Toronto to Philadelphia?

Paul Lucre, 41, had spent five days in Canada and left Toronto at 10 p.m. Wednesday.

He was scheduled to arrive Thursday morning in Philadelphia. He was surprised when he woke up in Harrisburg.

The slightly bewildered driver pulled over by the side of the road and went to a nearby shopping area to ask directions, Lucre said.

When the driver returned, a female passenger offered him her GPS-equipped phone.

About 9 a.m., the driver reoriented himself and headed east.

"It was bizarre," Lucre said. "The bus should have arrived at 8:15, but it wasn't until 10:34 we got back."

Officials for Coach USA, which operates Megabus, were apologetic, but they could not explain the detour.

"The journey didn't happen the way we wanted it to," said Edward Hodgson, director of operations.

He said passengers would be given a full refund.

Lucre said he had laughed when he heard the offer.

"A refund? That really isn't the point. The fare was $3."