How Greyhound Destroyed Itself

Greyhound's is going through a slow destruction and it's turning into a national transport nightmare. And its downfall threatens to leave millions of passengers stranded.

Once a reliable and affordable option for low-income and vulnerable travelers, the bus network is crumbling due to financial struggles, rising crime, and a failing infrastructure. With rapid station closures, service cuts, and declining reliability, the situation is more dire than ever.

Founded in 1914 in Hibbing, Minnesota, Greyhound quickly expanded to become America’s largest intercity bus network, connecting even the most remote towns. At its peak, it had nearly 4,750 stations, providing an essential service to those without other travel options. However, the rise of the interstate highway system, increased car ownership, and the expansion of air travel led to a sharp decline in ridership. Between 1960 and 2006, Greyhound’s passenger numbers dropped by over 70%, from 140 million to just 40 million.

The final blow came with the rise of the Chinatown bus model in the 1990s. Competitors like MegaBus and BoltBus bypassed costly terminals, operating curbside routes between major cities, drastically reducing overhead costs. These newer companies offered modern buses, free Wi-Fi, and lower fares, leaving Greyhound struggling with outdated vehicles and expensive terminal maintenance. Unable to compete, Greyhound hemorrhaged passengers and revenue.

In 2021, Greyhound was acquired by the German company FlixBus, which aimed to modernize the brand by shifting to an app-based model and reducing reliance on physical bus terminals. This transition has been disastrous for many passengers who lack smartphones or credit cards, disproportionately affecting elderly and low-income travelers. A DePaul University study found that 75% of U.S. coach travelers earn less than $40,000 per year, and 25% would be unable to make their trips without bus service.

Greyhound’s bus terminals were once architectural landmarks, built in the iconic Art Deco style and serving as vital community hubs. They offered 24-hour facilities, providing safe places to wait, access to bathrooms, and affordable food options. However, these stations became costly to maintain, attracting crime and homelessness, further discouraging investment. As a result, FlixBus chose not to acquire Greyhound’s real estate, leading to the rapid sell-off of terminals to private developers and hedge funds.

The consequences of station closures have been devastating. Many passengers now board buses from poorly lit parking lots, exposed to harsh weather with no access to basic amenities. Long layovers and missed connections have become common, making travel an exhausting and unsafe experience. The loss of designated bus terminals has also led to increased street congestion and safety concerns, forcing cities to reconsider curbside pickup regulations.

Unlike trains and city transit systems, Greyhound receives almost no government subsidies, despite serving as a crucial lifeline for low-income Americans. While public transit is funded at federal, state, and local levels, long-distance bus travel is treated as a private enterprise, leaving Greyhound and its passengers with little support. As terminals close and services decline, the lack of investment in intercity coach travel has become an undeniable national issue.

Greyhound’s collapse could have irreversible consequences for American transportation. Without intervention, the U.S. risks losing the only affordable travel option available to millions. The question remains: Will policymakers step in before it’s too late, or will Greyhound become yet another casualty of America’s failing infrastructure?

0:00 - Greyhound's decline and crisis
1:08 - Greyhound’s history and rise
1:41 - Impact of the interstate system
1:54 - Greyhound’s declining passenger numbers
2:17 - Rise of Chinatown buses and Megabus
3:31 - Greyhound’s Old buses and poor onboard conditions
3:58 - State of Greyhound’s onboard bathroom / toilet
4:09 - Competition have better and more modern coaches
4:33 - The problem with the new competition
5:18 - FlixBus acquires Greyhound in 2021
5:25 - Shift to Uber style app-based service
5:57 - Why the app based move was a disaster
6:13 - DePaul study on coach passengers
6:26 - The new app based model & customer experience
6:44 - Customer service issues
7:16 - Greyhound's architectural legacy
7:31 - Evansville Greyhound Station
7:53 - Importance of Greyhound terminals
8:17 - Bus terminals: the flaw in the business model
8:45 - Homelessness, crime and security costs
9:07 - Greyhound's most valuable assets
9:21 - Greyhound Terminals sold-off
9:34 - Mixed reactions to closures
9:51 - Inaccessible replacement stops
10:12 - The harsh reality of curbside stops
11:09 - Serious consequences of closures
11:40 - Cities struggle to regulate curbside crowds
12:02 - The government’s role in the crisis
12:42 - Greyhound’s impressive fight for survival