Lost Routes, Closed Hubs: The Looming Threat to Bus Transportation
December 17, 2023
The intercity bus system, an essential yet frequently disregarded component of America's transportation network, finds itself in the midst of an escalating predicament that has far-reaching implications for approximately 60 million individuals who heavily depend on it. Renowned bus operators such as Greyhound, Trailways, and Megabus - together transporting twice the quantity of passengers compared to Amtrak every year - are confronted with a surge of shut-downs concerning their terminals scattered across the nation. Cities like Houston, Philadelphia, Cincinnati, and others have witnessed downtown bus depots shutting down due to high operating costs, government underfunding, and the surprising entry of a hedge fund, Alden Global Capital, acquiring Greyhound's real estate for lucrative resale.
The closures, exacerbated by Greyhound's sale of terminals to investors, including Alden, have significant consequences. These closures disproportionately affect low-income and mobility-challenged citizens who heavily rely on bus services, with approximately three-quarters of intercity bus riders having annual incomes below $40,000. Moreover, the closures threaten to dismantle the comprehensive network of national bus routes, impacting service in multiple states.
The challenges facing the intercity bus system are multifaceted. The neglected state of intercity bus travel over decades, combined with underinvestment from local, state, and federal agencies, has led to an overreliance on private companies. Bus terminals, expensive to operate and maintain, often become blighted properties, struggling with homelessness and crime. The recent closures are further exacerbating these issues, creating a ripple effect of problems for travelers, including limited facilities, safety concerns, and logistical challenges.
As the industry evolves, transit advocates emphasize the need for a larger role for the public sector in supporting intercity bus travel. Proposals for publicly-owned, centralized transportation hubs, as seen in Atlanta, could provide a promising model for sustaining these essential services. However, without proactive measures, the closures and challenges faced by the intercity bus system are likely to persist, demanding creative solutions and increased governmental support to ensure equitable access to reliable transportation for all.
The closures, exacerbated by Greyhound's sale of terminals to investors, including Alden, have significant consequences. These closures disproportionately affect low-income and mobility-challenged citizens who heavily rely on bus services, with approximately three-quarters of intercity bus riders having annual incomes below $40,000. Moreover, the closures threaten to dismantle the comprehensive network of national bus routes, impacting service in multiple states.
The challenges facing the intercity bus system are multifaceted. The neglected state of intercity bus travel over decades, combined with underinvestment from local, state, and federal agencies, has led to an overreliance on private companies. Bus terminals, expensive to operate and maintain, often become blighted properties, struggling with homelessness and crime. The recent closures are further exacerbating these issues, creating a ripple effect of problems for travelers, including limited facilities, safety concerns, and logistical challenges.
As the industry evolves, transit advocates emphasize the need for a larger role for the public sector in supporting intercity bus travel. Proposals for publicly-owned, centralized transportation hubs, as seen in Atlanta, could provide a promising model for sustaining these essential services. However, without proactive measures, the closures and challenges faced by the intercity bus system are likely to persist, demanding creative solutions and increased governmental support to ensure equitable access to reliable transportation for all.