Megabus Owner Files for Bankruptcy

Intercity bus lines in the United States face yet more challenges as a major operator files for bankruptcy, but the company says service continues uninterrupted for now.

1 minute read

June 16, 2024, 5:00 AM PDT

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Blue Begabus bus on street in Toronto, Canada.

eugen / Adobe Stock

In another hit to the intercity bus industry in the United States, Megabus owner Coach USA filed for Chapter 11 bankrupcty on June 11, reports Dan Zukowski in Smart Cities Dive. “In a June 11 filing with the federal bankruptcy court in Delaware, the company said its ridership in 2021 was 26% of pre-pandemic levels and had only recovered to 45% by 2023. The company said driver shortages also impacted its ability to recover from the pandemic.”

According to Zukowski, “While a 2024 Chaddick Institute report estimates current intercity bus ridership at around 85% to 90% of pre-pandemic levels, other factors specific to Coach USA may have come into play, said Joseph Schwieterman, the institute’s director.” The company faces competition from FlixBus, which has partnered with Greyhound to provide complementary services in some areas. “Coach USA operates 2,250 vehicles and has over 2,700 employees, the company said in a press release.”

Friday, June 14, 2024 in Smart Cities Dive

courses user

As someone new to the planning field, Planetizen has been the perfect host guiding me into planning and our complex modern challenges. Corey D, Transportation Planner

As someone new to the planning field, Planetizen has been the perfect host guiding me into planning and our complex modern challenges.

Corey D, Transportation Planner

Ready to give your planning career a boost?

View of dense apartment buildings on Seattle waterfront with high-rise buildings in background.

Seattle Legalizes Co-Living

A new state law requires all Washington cities to allow co-living facilities in areas zoned for multifamily housing.

December 1, 2024 - Smart Cities Dive

Times Square in New York City empty during the Covid-19 pandemic.

NYC Officials Announce Broadway Pedestrianization Project

Two blocks of the marquee street will become mostly car-free public spaces.

December 1, 2024 - StreetsBlog NYC

Broken, uneven sidewalk being damaged by large tree roots in Los Angeles, California.

The City of Broken Sidewalks

Can Los Angeles fix 4,000 miles of broken sidewalks before the city hosts the 2028 Olympic Games?

December 5, 2024 - Donald Shoup

cars

Study: Automobile Dependency Reduces Life Satisfaction

Automobile dependency has negative implications for wellbeing. This academic study finds that relying on a car for more than 50 percent of out-of-home travel is associated with significant reductions in life satisfaction.

December 10 - Science Direct

Yellow San Diego Unified School District school bus.

San Diego School District Could Accelerate Workforce Housing Program

A proposal to build housing on five district-owned properties could yield 1,000 housing units for low- and moderate-income district employees.

December 10 - Governing

Red bus parked at transit station in Denver, Colorado with CO state capitol dome in background.

Denver Transit Board Approves $1.2 Billion Budget

The 2025 budget for the Regional Transportation District is the largest in the agency’s 55-year history.

December 10 - The Denver Post

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.