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.
Op-Ed: Looking for Efficiency? Fund Intercity Buses
Much less expensive than rail, intercity buses serve millions of Americans every year, but public subsidies are lacking.
Intercity Bus Passengers See Service Evaporate
Facing financial troubles, intercity bus operators are leaving passengers stranded without services in many U.S. markets.
Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.
Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation
California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.
Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.
From Throughway to Public Space: Taking Back the American Street
How the Covid-19 pandemic taught us new ways to reclaim city streets from cars.
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.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Ada County Highway District
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service