Skip to main content

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


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

Philadelphia's Intercity Bus Riders Are Getting Shortchanged

Despite the popularity of intercity bus services, most users have to wait on unshaded sidewalks with none of the amenities of traditional bus depots.

October 6, 2021 - Philadelphia Inquirer

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.

February 23, 2024 - Governing

Chicago’s Greyhound Station Could Close

The terminal, sold last year, is the only intercity bus station in the city, serving hundreds of thousands of mostly low-income travelers each year.

April 26, 2023 - Smart Cities Dive

New Florida Law Curbs HOA Power

The legislation seeks to cut down on ‘absurd’ citations for low-level violations.

June 16, 2024 - The Guardian

New Tennessee Law Allows No-Cost Incentives for Affordable Housing

Local governments in the Volunteer State can now offer developers incentives like increased density, lower parking requirements, and priority permitting for affordable housing projects.

June 10, 2024 - Nooga Today

Planners’ Complicity in Excessive Traffic Deaths

Professor Wes Marshall’s provocatively-titled new book, "Killed by a Traffic Engineer," has stimulated fierce debates. Are his criticisms justified? Let’s examine the degree that traffic engineers contribute to avoidable traffic deaths.

June 13, 2024 - Todd Litman

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Innovative Housing Showcase Educational Sessions

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

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.