providing service to more than a dozen college towns and mostly rural destinations throughout Ohio and nearby states.“New Directions: 2023 Outlook for the Intercity Bus Industry in the United States,”Report author Joseph Schwieterman estimates that bus travel throughout the United States has recovered to about 70-75 percent of its pre-pandemic level, with service in the South coming back faster than other parts of the country.
In recent years, Megabus has been cautiously rebuilding some of its network, particularly in the Northeast, according to Schwieterman. FlixBus is also less likely to use traditional bus stations, similar to the Megabus model that typically picks up passengers on the side of the road. It’s a trend that worries Schwieterman, who says bus passengers – particularly those transferring between routes – need access to covered waiting areas, bathrooms and other amenities.