The economy is gasping, oil prices are rising and airlines are acting so much like King George III, travelers are banding together to pass an Airline Passenger Bill of Rights.

Yet, we still do it — travel, that is. Whether it’s for work or leisure, Americans spent over $700 Billion on it in 2009. So unless everyone out there wants to start using the word “staycation” — ugh — then something’s gotta give.

There’s a new challenger in town, working to compete against planes, trains and automobiles, and most of all Greyhound buses. No-frills Megabus has made Pittsburgh the latest stop on a journey that spans two continents. With Greyhound holding a monopoly on the city since buying Trailways in 1987, Megabus is hoping to make the big dog cower in fear.