Bus companies show increase in ridership

COLUMBUS (AP) — Long-haul bus companies are reporting an increase in passengers between major cities as people respond to $4-a-gallon gas prices and more expensive airfares.

Low-cost carrier Megabus, which runs routes in the Midwest, said it has seen a 35 percent increase in passengers through Columbus this year. Greyhound also reported a rise after two years of slight declines.

It follows a pattern seen nationwide, with bus service between cities up 13 percent since 2006, according to a study by DePaul University in Chicago. It is the first increase for bus service in more than 40 years.

Ed Kowalski, a chef who lives near downtown Columbus, said he’ll use a $33 Megabus ticket to attend the Taste of Chicago festival. He also is considering a Greyhound ticket to send his son to Albuquerque, N.M.

“Someone made a comment that I was crazy,” said Kowalski, 43. “And my response was: What’s crazier — taking the bus for $30 or paying four bucks a gallon to fill your SUV?”

Megabus’ bare-bones concept hasn’t been without troubles. The company ended its West Coast routes earlier this month. It also temporarily stopped its Columbus routes in 2006 because of low interest.

“Affluent travelers are finding this is a great alternative,” said Dale Moser, president and chief operating officer of Megabus. “We continue to see month-on-month growth.”

Greyhound also is rebuilding after it eliminated a thousand routes in 2004. The Dallas-based company also if offering $1 promotional routes and a new fleet of buses.

“Our buses are full,” Greyhound spokesman Dustin Clark said. “We are prepared and expecting a big summer.”

The challenge for the bus industry has been stereotypes.

“The perception is changing,” said Eron Shosteck, spokesman for the American Bus Association. “Today’s modern motor coaches are nothing like the buses people remember taking in college.”