According to a new study by DePaul University’s Chaddick Institute for Metropolitan Development, free Wi-Fi could be one of the causes of a 32 percent increase in riders this year for curbside carriers. The study also points toward higher gas prices for the increase in ridership.
The study found that daily intercity curbside bus departures increased to 778 from 589 a year ago. Departures for the total bus industry, which includes Greyhound, increased 7.1 percent to 2,693. That compares with a gain of 1.5 percent for airline seat miles and 1.2 percent for rail seat miles, according to the Chaddick Institute study. Leading the way in the uptick of riders is Megabus.com and BoltBus, which continues to offer low fares and more routes for riders.
Megabus.com is the first low-cost, express bus service to offer city-to-city travel for as low as $1 via the Internet. Since launching in April 2006, megabus.com has served more than 15 million passengers throughout more than 70 major cities in the U.S. and Canada.
BoltBus operates in the Northeast and is a 50/50 venture between Greyhound and Peter Pan Bus Line. BoltBus provides service between New York City and other cities in the Northeast.