Passengers continue to rely on intercity bus lines, even as cities shutter bus terminals and bus companies restructure to avoid financial failure.
Despite operators’ financial struggles and the closure of dozens of bus terminals around the country, intercity bus ridership is growing in the United States, prompting bus companies to expand their fleets, reveals a report from the Chaddick Institute. “Greyhound acquired 60 motor coaches last year; Trailways, 30; and Peter Pan, 15. The Motorcoach Builders Survey for the third quarter of 2024 saw sales of new coaches up over 15% from the same period in the previous year.”
According to a Smart Cities Dive piece by Dan Zukowski, intercity buses provided almost 50 million riders in 2023, and ridership could grow by as much as 4 percent this year — higher than growth in air travel. Colorado’s Bustang line carried almost 280,000 riders in 2023. Other state-supported bus services are available in North Carolina, Virginia, and Washington,and Maine launched a new intercity service last year.
As Zukowski notes, “State services like these are made possible by the Federal Transit Administration’s formula grants for rural areas program, also known as Section 5311.”
However, the report warns that closures of terminals have slowed ridership recovery in rural and secondary routes, and some urban bus terminals are on the chopping block or have already closed down.
FULL STORY: Intercity bus service on the upswing
Chicago Bus Travelers Could Lose Downtown Terminal — and Winter is Coming
As the loss of intercity bus services and stations continues, Chicago could become the largest city in the developed world without a major downtown bus terminal.
Intercity Bus Passengers See Service Evaporate
Facing financial troubles, intercity bus operators are leaving passengers stranded without services in many U.S. markets.
Despite High Ridership, Intercity Bus Lines Are Eliminating Stations
Riders on the ‘forgotten stepchild’ of the U.S. transportation system find themselves waiting for buses curbside as Greyhound sells off its real estate in many U.S. cities.
National Parks Layoffs Will Cause Communities to Lose Billions
Thousands of essential park workers were laid off this week, just before the busy spring break season.
Retro-silient?: America’s First “Eco-burb,” The Woodlands Turns 50
A master-planned community north of Houston offers lessons on green infrastructure and resilient design, but falls short of its founder’s lofty affordability and walkability goals.
Delivering for America Plan Will Downgrade Mail Service in at Least 49.5 Percent of Zip Codes
Republican and Democrat lawmakers criticize the plan for its disproportionate negative impact on rural communities.
Test News Post 1
This is a summary
Test News Headline 46
Test for the image on the front page.
Balancing Bombs and Butterflies: How the National Guard Protects a Rare Species
The National Guard at Fort Indiantown Gap uses GIS technology and land management strategies to balance military training with conservation efforts, ensuring the survival of the rare eastern regal fritillary butterfly.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
EMC Planning Group, Inc.
Planetizen
Planetizen
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service