If you want to boot into a single-user text-only environment, you should be able to use runlevel #2.
If I'm wrong, and you want something else, please change the bug status, I have assigned this bug to upstart so hopefully someone can help you. ** Changed in: Ubuntu Sourcepackagename: None => upstart Status: Unconfirmed => Fix Released -- Need dedicated runelevel for text mode (console) https://launchpad.net/bugs/63010 -- ubuntu-bugs mailing list ubuntu-bugs@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-bugs