5
in Chinatown because of its partnerships with several bus
lines that have long focused on this neighborhood. Among
FlixBus’s newer offerings is direct service from New York
to Charlotteville, VA, via Washington, DC, which may be
seasonal, as it is now absent from schedules.
The New York – Philadelphia route, despite heavy
competition from Amtrak, also has abundant service.
FlixBus typically has 17 daily trips each way during the
present slow season, followed by Greyhound (16) and
Peter Pan (11), while several lines have less frequent
service. More trips are offered at peak times.
Megabus’s direct service from Washington, DC, to
Buffalo, NY, via Philadelphia vanished by early last year,
although numerous other routes to these cities can still be
found on megabus.com. As a result of the change,
travelers from Philadelphia and points south lack direct
bus (or train) service to Buffalo, and must transfer in
Midtown Manhattan, adding several hours to the trip.
The Commonwealth of Virginia’s Virginia Breeze Bus Lines
continues to enjoy success. The state’s Department of Rail
and Public Transit (DRPT) reports that ridership hit an all-
time high in November when there were 7,800 trips, 19%
more than the previous year. Traffic on the newest route,
the Highlands Rhythm, which links Washington, DC, to
Bristol, rose 27%, and on the Capital Connector,
connecting the nation’s capital to Richmond and Danville,
VA, it rose 25%. DRPT is studying a possible new route
focusing on the Interstate 64 corridor between the
Tidewater region and Staunton. It is also examining the
feasibility of installing bus shelters, lighting, and benches
at specific rural stops. Due to rising ticket revenue, the
total cost of operating the state’s intercity bus program
has decreased.
Stops & Stations. The closing of Philadelphia Greyhound
Station at 10
th
& Filbert, used by Greyhound, Peter Pan,
and other lines, was one of the biggest stories of 2023.
The station had long been at risk due to interest in a new
professional basketball stadium on the site, but its demise
came more quickly than many expected. The station had a
central location, diagonal bus parking, and room for
indoor passenger queues.
Greyhound and other bus lines initially moved curbside to
a nearby spot on Market Street with a small indoor space
and ticket counter. Many bus passengers were required to
wait outside on crowded sidewalk areas without
protective cover, and complaints ensued. Parked coaches
also created issues for a bus lane used by local transit
buses. In December, bus lines, including FlixBus and
Megabus, which did not use the old station, moved to
curbside spots at Spring Garden and Front Street,
adjacent to a rail transit stop. The new location is less
congested and has a small indoor space and restrooms.
However, it is seen as only an interim location.
A major revamp of Washington Union Station is afoot
and could create problems for intercity bus riders.
Currently, bus lines have a dedicated floor on a parking
deck above the station’s train platforms. The number of
bus bays and parking spaces for motorcoaches could be
sharply reduced as part of an effort to reduce the number
of parking spots, thus impairing peak-period service.
Greyhound stations in other cities also face challenges.
The Richmond (VA) Greyhound Station appears destined
to be closed to make room for a residential building. The
Erie, PA, station became unstaffed last year, while
Pittsburgh’s station was the scene of several high-profile
crime incidents.
THE SOUTH
The South, especially Florida, is recovering faster than
most other regions, according to industry leaders with
whom we have spoken. RedCoach’s traffic in Florida now
exceeds pre-pandemic levels and is as much as 25%