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.
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.”
FULL STORY: Megabus owner Coach USA files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy
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