Four Developments that Deserve Our Attention

Intercity Bus E-News Bulletin, November 2025

November 7, 2025 | Caption: Greyhound at Philadelphia Bus Station, 2021. Inset: Boston South Station Bus Terminal, November 2025

This Intercity Bus E-News Bulletin brings you up to date on four recent developments with important ramifications for the U.S. network. 

#1. The City of Chicago is making plans to purchase the Chicago Intercity Bus (“Greyhound”) Terminal. The mayor’s office of the City of Chicago has confirmed that it is making plans to buy the station, which has been in limbo for more than a year and a half. Flix North America, owner of FlixBus and Greyhound, has a short-term lease at the relatively modern and privately owned station built in 1989. Our analysis indicates that the station, which is also used by Barons Bus and Jefferson Lines, handles more than 80 movements (arrivals and departures combined) on peak days of the week. Public ownership, while still far from certain — the city's efforts are at an early stage — could spur improvements and entice other bus lines operating in the Windy City to use the terminal. The Chaddick Institute has published several studies highlighting the consequences of the station’s loss.

#2. The City of Philadelphia is finalizing arrangements to move bus services back into the long-shuttered Greyhound Station at 10th & Filbert streets. The station, near the heart of Center City, has excellent public transit access and was vacated in 2023 to make way for real estate development that never materialized. As recently as a few months ago, local opposition appeared to preclude the station’s opening. FlixBus, Greyhound, and Peter Pan will likely be the heaviest users of the station, which is equipped with indoor waiting areas and well-designed sawtooth bus bays that allow for orderly boarding (see photo). The relocation of many bus services to a curbside area at the Spring Garden transit stop has generated much negative publicity over the past several years. Operations are expected to resume at the old station in 2026. (Photo: Peter Pan at the Philadelphia station in 2021)

#3. Boston's newly expanded and improved South Station Bus Terminal opened earlier this week. The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority's upgrade greatly increases indoor waiting space and adds 16 bus docks, bringing the total to 42. Check out this insightful article by Smart Cities Dive senior reporter Dan Zukowski, who attended and provided updates on the grand opening earlier this week. “Customers can expect to see more amenities at the terminal next year,” Zukowski notes. The number of providers using the terminal, which includes FlixBus, Greyhound, and Peter Pan, could grow to 10. (Photo by Dan Zukowski).

#4. Southeastern Stages Bus Line, a regional carrier operating in Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina, has ended scheduled operations. The company had provided more than 90 years of service and apparently ended operations due to economic factors. Southeastern had long been a Greyhound and Trailways interline partner and a major player in the Southeast, including the busy Atlanta, GA – Charlotte, NC, route. We thank the management team for the company’s decades of high-quality service. “This adds another name to the great line of well-run family companies who are getting out of the scheduled route service in the United States, as ridership does continue to come back from the negative effects of COVID-19,” noted Mark L. Szyperski, President and CEO of On Your Mark Transportation, LLC. Szyperski adds, “We must help the intercity motorcoach industry, especially when it comes to cities providing good pickup and drop-off locations.” (Photo: Southeastern Stages in Atlanta in 2022)

Invite others to join Intercity Bus Listserv 

Check out past editions and reports here

Watch for the next regular E-News in late November

Invite your colleagues to join our Intercity Bus Listserv.  To become part of our Intercity Bus ListServ and receive 8 – 10 emails per year, email Zaria by replying to this email. No spam. Free. Also, check out our recent studies, briefs, and podcasts below. The Intercity Bus E-News team is Zaria Bonds and Joe Schwieterman.



• Our 2025 Outlook for the Intercity Bus Industry and other reports.

• Our newly released Schedule Frequency analysis of 69 routes, updated for summer 2025 schedules.

• Podcast: Episode 10: How Cities are Redesigning Legacy Transit Systems for Better Connectivity, with Chris Kopp. April 2025.

This independently produced e-newsletter brief has been shared with our Intercity Bus (IB) and Transportation listservs. The Chaddick Institute does not receive funds from transportation companies or related industries.