The Q4 2021 Intercity Bus Services research by DePaul University examines the sector’s economic performance and trends shaping its future.
Executive Summary
About the Report
This report analyzes key geographic and nationwide trends for the intercity bus industry in the United States during the fourth quarter of 2021.
Key Highlights
- Intercity bus lines experienced steady traffic growth from August to late November as a result of growing interest in resuming travel, higher gasoline prices and airfares, and enhanced schedule offerings. Privately operated bus lines rolled out various new services that were unavailable during the pandemic. COVID-19’s Omicron variant has chilled demand, but its effect, though severe, is expected to be temporary, and the autumn traffic buildup points to a strong post-pandemic recovery.
- FlixMobility’s purchase of Greyhound on October 21, 2021, is generating optimism for renewed investment to enhance and modernize the legacy carrier’s network. The deal excludes Greyhound’s sizeable real-estate holdings, which indicates that one of FlixMobility’s primary motives for the acquisition is to deepen its roots in the North American intercity bus market.
- In the 4th quarter, bus lines rolled out a variety of new first-and business-class service that provide alternatives to poor airport experience and costly and crowded flights. In addition, nearly all premium services that were available prior to the pandemic have returned.
Citation
How to Cite This Report: DePaul University, Chaddick Institute for Metropolitan Development. (2022). The Intercity Bus Bounceback: The 4th Quarter of 2021 Brings Optimism to a Struggling Sector. Retrieved from https://www.buses.org/aba-foundation-research-summary/intercity-bus-services-by-depaul-university-q4-2021/.
Report Author: Joseph P. Schwieterman, Ph.D., Abby Mader, Allison Woodward.
Contact information: For inquiries, email research@buses.org or call (202) 218-7227.
Methodology
The information in this report was compiled using public data sources and an analysis of industry news.
Additional Resources
- New Destinations: 2023 Outlook for the Intercity Bus Industry in the United States
- On the Brink: 2021 Outlook for the Intercity Bus Industry in the United States
- Making Connections: 2020 Outlook for the Intercity Bus Industry in the United States
- New Directions: 2019 Outlook for the Intercity Bus Industry in the United States
- Running Express: 2017 Outlook for the Intercity Bus Industry in the United States
- The Remaking of the Motor Coach: 2015 Year in Review of Intercity Bus Service in the United States
- Adding on Amenities, Broadening the Base 2014 Year-in-Review of Intercity Bus Service in the United States
- The Traveler’s Tradeoff: Comparing Intercity Bus, Plane, & Train Fares across the United States (2014)