Intercity buses might seem "Old World," but ridership is growing on intercity bus systems, and Greyhound is making big investments to stay ahead of the quickly moving transportation curve.
"Over the last year, Dallas-based Greyhound has spent $15 million to revamp its website, develop apps and build a computer-driven system for routing buses and pricing tickets — much like the airlines do," according to an article by Terry Box. The company's investments have very much to do with the quickly evolving nature of transportation:
The 101-year-old company stands at a nexus these days. Uber, car-sharing services and autonomous vehicles will likely thoroughly rearrange ground transportation over the next decade. And young millennials continue their migration to downtown areas — sometimes without cars.
The article goes into more detail about the lengths Greyhound is going to appeal to a new generation of bus riders, with features like mobile ticketing, destination packages, and refurbished buses and terminals. The article also notes the still-integral role intercity buses play in U.S. transportation. "Passengers in the U.S. took an estimated 61.6 million trips on intercity bus lines like Greyhound last year, up 23.4 percent since 2010," writes Box.
For more on the growing popularity of intercity buses not named Greyhound, see recent coverage by Whet Moser on the growth of Megabus.
FULL STORY: What Dallas-based Greyhound is doing to get young riders on board
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.
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.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”
The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).
The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns
In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.
The States Losing Rural Delivery Rooms at an Alarming Pace
In some states, as few as 9% of rural hospitals still deliver babies. As a result, rising pre-term births, no adequate pre-term care and "harrowing" close calls are a growing reality.
The Small South Asian Republic Going all in on EVs
Thanks to one simple policy change less than five years ago, 65% of new cars in this Himalayan country are now electric.
DC Backpedals on Bike Lane Protection, Swaps Barriers for Paint
Citing aesthetic concerns, the city is removing the concrete barriers and flexposts that once separated Arizona Avenue cyclists from motor vehicles.
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.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)