Greyhound Demand Jumps 30% on Former Spirit Routes as Flight Prices Rise 27%
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Jun 28
Greyhound Demand Jumps 30% on Former Spirit Routes as Flight Prices Rise 27%
2 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Jun 28
Summary
Greyhound passenger volumes on routes overlapping former Spirit Airlines flights have climbed 30%, while searches for the bus carrier rose 20% from a year earlier after Spirit shut down.
A 27% year-to-date increase in airfares is pushing travelers toward cheaper ground options, with average bus tickets around $53 versus roughly $500 for plane tickets, according to Wanderu.
Researchers now expect bus ridership to grow 4% this year, outpacing airline forecasts, helped by a decline in young Americans with driver's licenses and limited public transit alternatives.
Greyhound owner Flix says it has added hundreds of newer buses and cut fleet age in half, but the carrier still faces a weak reputation, including 1.3-star ratings on Yelp and TripAdvisor.
The surge could revive intercity bus travel in the US, though operators still need more reliable service, better stations and basic onboard comfort to turn necessity riders into repeat customers.