Buses off and running again
Motor coach travel at the end of 2007 “was enjoying a significant rebirth and was expanding throughout the country at the fastest rate in more than 40 years,” according to a new study released by the DePaul University School of Public Service.
The independent research study, titled “The Return of the Intercity Bus: The Decline and Revival of Scheduled Service to American Cities, 1960-2007,” was completed by Professor Joseph P. Schwieterman, PhD and several researchers.
“Our research shows that this growth is being driven by improvements in service and strong consumer demand,” the study said. “As a result, more growth will likely occur in the years ahead.”
The study cites several reasons for the positive outlook: “The industry is engaged in more aggressive marketing than in previous years and reaping the benefits of persistently high fuel costs.”
Additionally, the industry is capitalizing on its strategic communications “campaign to build awareness that it is an environmentally friendly (‘green’) travel choice.”
The study cites many remaining challenges for the industry, from illegal curbside operators to heavily subsidized federal transit systems. But nonetheless, the report concludes, “the intercity bus is again off and running – and regaining respectability among the traveling public.”
“This study confirms that more Americans are choosing motor coach travel as congestion worsens, delays and hassles become more prevalent, and environmental stewardship is top of mind,” said American Bus Association (ABA) President & CEO Peter J. Pantuso.
The full study is available at: www.depaul.edu/~chaddick.
Report by David Wilkening
David
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Global tourism exceeds 1.5 billion travelers announces UN-Tourism
Qatar Airways offers reduced timetable to over 60 destinations
WTTC global tourism reached record economic impact of 11 trillion in 2025
Hands In, UATP join forces for airline multi-card payments
Overseas travelers to the United States declined by 2.5% in 2025