AASHTO Journal - NCDOT, Greyhound Expand State Bus Service

The North Carolina Department of Transportation and Greyhound recently expanded bus service to Elizabeth City State University or ECSU so more people can easily access state and national intercity bus networks.

[Above image by NCDOT]

The new stop is at the university’s K.E. White Center and offers two trips per day, seven days a week. The expanded service also increases travel options to destinations such as Richmond, VA, Myrtle Beach, SC, and others along NCDOT’s Coastal Plains Connector. Greyhound noted its buses offer passengers Wi-Fi, comfortable seats, and charging outlets at every seat, with passengers able to book tickets via Greyhound.com or via the Greyhound mobile application.

“We’re thrilled about this new on-campus Greyhound stop that will benefit the university and city alike,” said Brennon Fuqua, director of NCDOT’s Integrated Mobility Division, in a statement. “This is the latest example of how working in partnership on transportation projects and goals increases access to a robust, reliable and safe transportation network statewide and, ultimately, beyond.”

He added that this stop is but one example of the ongoing work by the Integrated Mobility Division to increase statewide transportations options, helping state residents gain access to new destinations and align transit options and schedules with other available transportation modes, such as NC By Train – the state’s intercity passenger rail service – and national passenger rail provider Amtrak.

Several other state departments of transportation are also expanding and updating the bus services they oversee.

For example, the Colorado Department of Transportation recently revamped stops for its Bustang and Outrider service in Colorado Springs, relocating to the Downtown Terminal and terminating its stop at the Tejon Park-n-Ride in south Colorado Springs.

“Our customers have been clear that this change in location will make it a smoother, safer and more reliable trip on our South and Outrider lines [as] safety issues have become a persistent problem at the Tejon location and are negatively impacting our service and customers,” said Paul DesRocher, director of the Colorado DOT’s Division of Transit and Rail, in a statement.

“By moving this connection to the Downtown Terminal, it’ll improve the experience for not only our Bustang and Outrider passengers but also our bus operators. The Downtown Terminal is a safer location,” he added.

He added that Bustang service was doubled recently on the South Line, from six to 12 roundtrips on weekdays, and increased from two to six roundtrips on weekends and holidays. Meanwhile, the Bustang Outrider service between Lamar/Pueblo and Colorado Springs operates one roundtrip per day.