Holiday Travel 2024: Bus Travel on the Rise
Holiday Travel 2024: Bus Travel Steps Up for Record-Breaking Demand
According to AAA, the 2024 Thanksgiving travel season is on track to be one of the busiest in years, with nearly 80 million Americans expected to travel. While highways and airports will be crowded, bus travel is seeing remarkable growth, which is vital in connecting travelers with loved ones.
Buses, trains, and cruises are projected to transport nearly 2.3 million travelers this year—a 9% increase over 2023 and 18% above 2019. The bus industry, particularly, is stepping up with expanded services and innovative strategies to meet the heightened demand.
Industry Leaders Expand Services
Several bus operators have bolstered their offerings to handle the surge in holiday travelers. Peter Pan Bus Lines, for example, has significantly expanded its schedule to accommodate demand. Peter Pan Bus Lines added 500 extra schedules to its regular Peter Pan service. “The whole team is ‘all hands on deck’,” said Danielle Veronesi, Senior Director of Marketing for Peter Pan Bus Lines. “Every ticket counter is open, selling tickets and assisting passengers.”
Similarly, Fullington Trailways has implemented strategic service expansions using advanced data analytics. To accommodate the expected uptick in travel demand, Fullington added several additional sections of express services to and from various cities, such as Philadelphia, NYC, and Pittsburgh. “At the core of our service is a commitment to meeting the diverse transportation needs of our customers, no matter the season or the challenge,” said Fullington CEO Jonathan Berzas. “Our ability to scale and deliver excellence across various sectors reflects our dedicated team and strategic growth.”
Berzas added that Fullington has even partnered with affiliate operators to ensure a seamless experience for passengers, noting that these collaborative approaches demonstrate the bus industry’s adaptability and commitment to customer satisfaction.
Why Bus Travel is Booming
Bus travel’s affordability, flexibility, and expanded amenities drive its growing popularity during this hectic season. Rising airfare costs, busy airports, and volatile weather conditions this season have led many travelers to consider buses a reliable alternative. Enhanced features like Wi-Fi, charging ports, new types of seating, and eco-friendly fleets have also elevated the experience, making bus travel an attractive option for holiday journeys and leading to higher online booking sales.
“Overall, sales volume for bus tickets leading up to this holiday period is up 18% over the same period last year,” said Terry Cordell, CEO of Transcor Data Services. “We are seeing positive trends in most markets across the country, but particularly in the northeast.”
Online engagement is also fueling growth. Alex Berardi, President of Trailways.com, noted, “We’re seeing traffic up nearly 25% for the month of November across our Canadian and American web domains compared to last year. For that same time period, sales of intercity bus tickets are up nearly 20%.”
Ticket sales have primarily moved online for several bus companies. “Reflecting the digital shift, our Customer Care Center has seen a year-over-year decrease in phone calls with a notable increase in web channel interactions,” Berardi observed.
Meeting the Holiday Demand
With peak travel days expected from November 26-29, bus operators are prepared to navigate the busiest Thanksgiving holiday in years. Weather challenges and road congestion may complicate travel, but the bus industry’s adaptability and preparation are helping millions reach their destinations.
As the holiday season kicks into full gear, buses are proving to be more than a mode of transportation—they’re a lifeline for travelers seeking affordable, reliable, and comfortable ways to connect with family and friends.
