Get on the (curbside) bus: The new intercity bus

Nicholas J. Klein

doi:10.5198/jtlu.2015.419

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Published

2015-04-27

Issue

Vol. 8 No. 1 (2015)

Section

Articles

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How to Cite

Klein, N. J. (2015). Get on the (curbside) bus: The new intercity bus. Journal of Transport and Land Use, 8(1), 155–169. https://doi.org/10.5198/jtlu.2015.419

Get on the (curbside) bus: The new intercity bus

Nicholas J. Klein

Rutgers University

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5198/jtlu.2015.419

Keywords: intercity travel, travel behavior, bus, the Chinatown bus

Abstract

Curbside buses are intercity buses that pick up and drop off on city streets and corners instead of bus terminals. These new buses have only been operating for 15 years but have quickly revitalized and transformed the intercity bus industry, leading to the first increases in ridership in 50 years. Using a passenger intercept survey of both curbside and established carriers, such as Greyhound, I address two basic questions about this new mode: Who uses curbside buses? And what is the effect of curbside buses on competing modes? The findings indicate that curbside buses appear to be attracting different passengers than established carriers. After using curbside buses, passengers are less likely to use Amtrak for intercity trips, but the buses have no effect on their likelihood to drive.

Author Biography

Nicholas J. Klein, Rutgers University

Nicholas J. Klein is a Post-Doctoral Associate at the Alan M. Voorhees Transportation Center at the Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers University. He conducts research on travel behavior in diverse communities and private and informal transit services.