The demise of Greyhound bus stations is a problem

A one-time staple of the American travel industry is in dire straits

A view of the Greyhound bus station in Chicago in 2023
A view of the Greyhound bus station in Chicago in 2023
(Image credit: Eileen T. Meslar / Chicago Tribune / Tribune News Service via Getty Images)

Intercity buses were once the preeminent travel method in the United States, and there is one company that dominated the space: Greyhound Lines. With its instantly recognizable silver race dog adorning its buses, Greyhound is a classic part of Americana. During the 1940s, the company had an estimated 4,750 bus stations across the nation.

And while the company still serves 2,300 destinations across North America, there has been a clear decline in Greyhound bus stations. This is marked by a surge in the company's terminals being sold to investment firms, relocated to less-than-desirable areas or shuttered entirely. 

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Justin Klawans, The Week US

 Justin Klawans has worked as a staff writer at The Week since 2022. He began his career covering local news before joining Newsweek as a breaking news reporter, where he wrote about politics, national and global affairs, business, crime, sports, film, television and other Hollywood news. Justin has also freelanced for outlets including Collider and United Press International.