Greyhound Lines

Greyhound Lines, Inc.

Company type	Subsidiary
Industry	Intercity bus transportation
Predecessor	Motor Transit Corporation
Founded	January 1, 1914 (1914-01-01) in Hibbing, Minnesota, United States
Founder	Eric Wickman
Headquarters	Dallas , United States
Area served	United States, Mexico
Key people	Fred Currey (CEO as of 1987)
Products	Intercity bus services
Number of employees	Close to 10,000 (circa World War II)
Parent	(unnamed parent company owning FlixBus)

Greyhound Lines, Inc. stands as a premier operator of intercity bus transportation in the United States, boasting the most extensive network domestically and extending its reach into Mexico. Based in Dallas, Texas, Greyhound functions as a subsidiary of , which also owns FlixBus. The company manages a fleet comprising 1,700 coaches—mainly manufactured by Motor Coach Industries and Prevost—serving 230 stations and reaching 1,700 destinations. Established in 1914 by Swedish immigrant Eric Wickman in Hibbing, Minnesota, the firm adopted the Greyhound brand name in 1929.

1914–1930: formative period

After losing his mining job in 1914, Eric Wickman initiated a transportation service using a seven-passenger Hupmobile to shuttle iron ore miners between Hibbing and Alice, Minnesota. This early enterprise merged with Ralph Bogan’s similar operation in 1915, forming the Mesaba Transportation Company. By 1918, the company had expanded to operate 18 vehicles and generated $40,000 annually.

In 1924, Wickman established Northland and soon acquired Superior-White Company. Aggressive growth followed through the purchase of several independent Minnesota bus lines by 1925. By 1928, Northland earned $6 million in revenue and provided nationwide travel options. Significant acquisitions included Yelloway-Pioneer System—the first to accomplish a coast-to-coast bus journey—and The Pickwick Corporation in 1929.

Subsequent strategic investments resulted in stakes in Gray Line Worldwide and Colonial Motor Coach Company, leading to the creation of Eastern Greyhound Lines and the renaming of Northland to Northland Greyhound Lines. These maneuvers strengthened Greyhound’s dominance and competitive positioning within the intercity bus market.

1930–1945

By 1930, more than 100 bus companies had merged into the parent entity then known as Motor Transit Corporation. To enhance brand recognition, the company was renamed The Greyhound Corporation, inspired by the Greyhound moniker used by predecessor lines. Company tradition attributes the name to a driver who compared a passing bus's speed to that of a greyhound dog.

Also in 1930, the headquarters moved from Duluth, Minnesota to Chicago, Illinois.

The Great Depression caused financial difficulties with debts exceeding $1 million by 1931; however, Greyhound's fortunes improved alongside economic recovery.

By 1934, Greyhound had become the largest intercity bus carrier nationwide, transporting nearly 400 million passengers—rivaling Class I railroads. The film It Happened One Night (1934), which featured Greyhound buses prominently, helped increase public awareness of bus travel.

In 1935, national intercity bus ridership increased by 50%, reaching almost 652 million passengers and surpassing Class I railroads for the first time. That year marked record earnings of $8 million reported by founder Wickman. The fleet expanded further with the addition of 306 new buses in 1936.

The acquisition of Greyhound Canada in 1941 represented a key milestone in expanding international operations.

From 1937 through 1945, Greyhound invested significantly in upgrading infrastructure and modernizing its fleet by constructing terminals designed in the late Art Deco Streamline Moderne style. Esteemed architects such as William Strudwick Arrasmith and George D. Brown were engaged for these projects. Noteworthy stations include those located in Blytheville, Cleveland, Columbia (SC), and Washington, D.C.

Greyhound collaborated with Yellow Coach Manufacturing Company to develop streamlined Series 700 buses beginning with prototypes introduced in 1934 and became Yellow’s exclusive customer for the Series 743 "Super Coach" models starting in 1937. Between 1937 and 1939 alone, Greyhound purchased 1,256 vehicles from Yellow Coach.

At the onset of World War II, Greyhound operated roughly 4,750 stations and employed close to 10,000 personnel, cementing its position as a foremost provider in intercity transportation services.

1945–1983: Growth, Integration, and Business Diversification

Carl Wickman stepped down as president of Greyhound Corporation in 1946, with his partner Orville S. Caesar taking over the leadership role. Wickman died in 1954 at the age of 66.

During the period from the 1930s through the 1950s, Greyhound partnered with industrial designer Raymond Loewy and General Motors to create some of its most recognizable bus designs. Loewy’s initial project was the Yellow Coach PDG-4101 Silversides produced between 1940 and 1941, which was later revived after World War II as the GM PD 3751 until 1948. In 1954, Greyhound introduced its signature hump-backed buses, including the PD-4501 Scenicruiser designed by Roland E. Gegoux and built by GM, notable for its distinctive lower front and raised rear sections.

Post-World War II developments, coupled with the 1956 establishment of the Interstate Highway System, led to increased car ownership and more affordable air travel options. These factors contributed to a decline in demand for intercity bus transportation, affecting Greyhound’s market dominance.

In October 1953, Greyhound expanded its reach by acquiring the Tennessee Coach Company and securing control over Blue Ridge Lines along with its affiliate White Star Lines, thereby strengthening its routes between Cleveland and the Mid-Atlantic region.

Freedom Rides and Civil Rights Activism

In 1955, the Interstate Commerce Commission ruled in Keys v. Carolina Coach Co. that racial segregation on interstate buses operated by companies such as Greyhound was unlawful. The U.S. Supreme Court further supported desegregation in 1960 with its decision in Boynton v. Virginia, which overturned an African American’s conviction for trespassing in a segregated "whites only" bus terminal.

During May 1961, civil rights activists launched interracial Freedom Rides aimed at enforcing desegregation laws. On May 14, a mob attacked both a Greyhound and a Trailways bus traveling from Washington, D.C., to New Orleans, damaging the Greyhound’s tires. Near Anniston, Alabama, assailants halted the Greyhound bus, set it on fire, and trapped passengers inside. The mob dispersed following either a fuel tank explosion or intervention by an undercover agent. Subsequently, riders were assaulted while law enforcement prevented a lynching attempt. Additional Freedom Riders encountered violent opposition at the Montgomery Greyhound Station.

The passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 extended anti-discrimination protections beyond federally regulated transportation companies like Greyhound to cover public accommodations such as hotels and restaurants at state and municipal levels.

Late 1960s through Early 1980s Developments

Facing reduced passenger numbers during the late 1960s, Greyhound capitalized on its profitable bus operations to branch out into diverse sectors.

Gerald H. Trautman assumed the roles of president and CEO in 1966, spearheading major growth initiatives. In 1970, Greyhound purchased Armour and Company—including the Dial deodorant brand—for $400 million. The company moved its headquarters to Phoenix, Arizona in 1971.

Greyhound expanded further by acquiring Traveller's Express money order services as well as bus manufacturers Motor Coach Industries (MCI) and TMC. It also ventured into leasing aircraft. By the late 1970s, Greyhound diversified its workforce by employing African American and female drivers for the first time.

In 1972, Greyhound introduced the Ameripass unlimited mileage ticket—initially promoted as "99 days for $99"—targeting budget-conscious travelers nationwide. This offering later became known as the Discovery Pass before being discontinued in 2012.

In 1984, Greyhound acquired Premier Cruise Line, which operated as the "Official Cruise Line of Walt Disney World" from 1985 until 1993 and featured Disney characters onboard. This move represented a strategic entry into leisure travel services beyond traditional bus transportation.

1983 Greyhound drivers' strike

In 1983, Greyhound managed a fleet of approximately 3,800 buses and controlled nearly 60% of the intercity bus transportation market in the United States.

Operations were significantly disrupted beginning November 2, 1983, due to a widespread drivers' strike. The labor unrest escalated tragically when a replacement driver struck a picketing employee in Zanesville, Ohio, resulting in a fatality. The strike concluded with the ratification of a new labor agreement on December 19, and employees resumed work the following day.

1986–1990: ownership changes, merger, and initial bankruptcy

At the start of 1987, an investment consortium led by Fred Currey—previously CEO of Continental Trailways—purchased Greyhound and moved its corporate headquarters to Dallas, Texas. Currey assumed the role of CEO.

In February 1987, the new management reached a three-year labor contract with the Amalgamated Transit Union.

June 1987 marked Greyhound's acquisition of Trailways, Inc., uniting the largest national bus operators under one entity. The Interstate Commerce Commission mandated that Greyhound coordinate schedules with other scheduled service providers in the U.S.

Between 1987 and 1990, The Greyhound Corporation maintained ownership of non-bus subsidiaries such as Premier Cruise Lines and Greyhound Leisure Services but distanced itself from its bus operations. To sever ties with the struggling transit division, it rebranded as Greyhound Dial Corporation in March 1990 and later as The Dial Corporation in March 1991.

1990 Greyhound drivers' strike

Following the expiration of the drivers’ contract in early 1990, the Amalgamated Transit Union initiated another strike against Greyhound. This labor dispute was marked by intense hostility similar to the 1983 strike, including violent incidents involving both picketers and replacement workers. With roughly 6,300 drivers striking, Greyhound grounded most of its fleet of 3,949 buses and suspended approximately 80% of its routes. CEO Fred Currey publicly referred to negotiations with strikers as dealings with "terrorists," while ATU president Edward M. Strait attributed the impasse to management’s refusal to negotiate in good faith.

Simultaneously, Greyhound faced mounting competition from budget airlines such as Southwest Airlines, which further diminished its share in long-distance intercity travel. Without robust financial support from a parent company, the combination of lost revenue and increased expenses during the strike compelled Greyhound to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in June 1990.

The strike persisted for 38 months until May 1993 when an agreement favoring Greyhound was reached. Although the National Labor Relations Board awarded damages to striking workers for unfair labor practices by management, these claims were discharged during bankruptcy restructuring. As part of the settlement, Greyhound committed to paying $22 million in back wages, recalling 550 union drivers, reinstating most terminated strikers, and increasing hourly pay rates from $13.83 to $16.55 by March 1998.

Early 1990s: bankruptcy aftermath and antitrust litigation

By August 1991, following bankruptcy reorganization, Greyhound reduced its workforce from 12,000 to approximately 7,900 employees and cut its bus fleet down to about 2,750 vehicles staffed by around 3,600 drivers.

In August 1992, Greyhound terminated bus terminal license (BTL) agreements at roughly 200 terminals that had required exclusive ticket sales within a 25-mile radius. The U.S. Department of Justice filed suit in 1995 alleging that this exclusivity arrangement suppressed competition and restrained trade. In February 1996, Greyhound settled by permitting terminal tenants to sell tickets for competing carriers nearby and honor interline tickets issued by rivals.

In 1994, Greyhound's revenues reached $616 million amid competitive fare pricing that included tickets priced as low as $10.

By September 1998, Greyhound pledged to enhance accessibility by equipping most buses with wheelchair lifts to better serve passengers with disabilities.

2001: Trailways-Laidlaw mergers and bankruptcy

During the late 1990s, Greyhound Lines increased its market dominance by acquiring Carolina Trailways in 1997 and the intercity operations of Southeastern Trailways in 1998. These purchases strengthened Greyhound’s hold on the intercity bus sector, as other Trailways members either aligned with Greyhound, transitioned to charter and tour services, or exited the industry altogether.

In September 1997, transportation giant Laidlaw revealed plans to acquire Greyhound Canada for $72 million, thus expanding its reach into the Canadian market. By October 1998, Laidlaw advanced further by purchasing Greyhound Lines’ U.S. operations—including Carolina Trailways and related affiliates—for roughly $470 million, finalizing this acquisition in March 1999.

Nonetheless, Laidlaw’s rapid expansion placed significant pressure on its financial health. By June 2001, confronted with substantial losses from Greyhound and other divisions, Laidlaw sought bankruptcy protection in both the United States and Canada. This event marked a pivotal restructuring phase influencing Greyhound’s corporate framework and strategic direction at that time.

2002–2007: Laidlaw ownership

Based in Naperville, Illinois, Laidlaw International, Inc. became listed on the New York Stock Exchange on February 10, 2003, emerging from its reorganization on June 23, 2003 as the successor entity to Laidlaw Inc.

By 2003, Greyhound was facing stiff competition in the northeastern United States from Chinatown bus operators such as Fung Wah Bus Transportation and Lucky Star Bus. These companies ran curbside services in major Chinatowns including New York City, Boston, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C., offering fares approximately half those of Greyhound and capturing about 60% of Greyhound’s northeastern market share between 1997 and 2007.

In reaction to this competitive pressure, Greyhound expanded its QuickLink commuter bus service in 2003, focusing on peak weekday routes connecting Sacramento with the San Francisco Bay Area and Macon with Atlanta.

By 2004, Greyhound strategically reduced its network by nearly 37%, eliminating low-demand rural stops to concentrate on high-density intercity routes. This adjustment allowed local operators—often supported by government subsidies—to take over rural transit services across regions including the Plains states, upper Midwest, and Pacific Northwest.

2007–2021: FirstGroup ownership

On February 7, 2007, Scottish transportation company FirstGroup announced its $3.6 billion purchase of Laidlaw International, completing the acquisition on October 1, 2007. FirstGroup prioritized enhancing Greyhound’s brand image by renovating terminals and buses, expanding the fleet size, retraining personnel, and launching marketing campaigns aimed at younger and Hispanic audiences.

Although FirstGroup’s main interest lay in Laidlaw’s school and transit bus operations, it retained Greyhound and introduced Greyhound UK in 2009. In 2008, Greyhound merged regional subsidiaries—including Carolina Trailways, Vermont Transit Lines, and Texas, New Mexico & Oklahoma Coaches—into a unified organization.

March 2008 marked the debut of BoltBus service connecting Boston, New York City, and Washington, D.C., initially operated jointly with Peter Pan Bus Lines until their separation in 2017. BoltBus later extended to routes in the Pacific Northwest (2012) and California (2013–2014). Starting in 2009, all newly acquired buses were equipped with three-point seat belts for enhanced safety.

To counter competition from Megabus and Chinatown bus lines, Greyhound launched "Greyhound Express" in 2010 featuring newer buses that made fewer stops. By 2013, DriveCam video technology was implemented across the fleet to improve safety through real-time driver monitoring.

By 2014, Greyhound operated a fleet of 1,229 buses serving over 3,800 destinations across North America with annual revenues approaching $991 million and net profits around $73 million. The company credited this growth to evolving urban demographics and a focus on high-demand corridors. That same year saw a refreshed logo rollout along with upgraded amenities such as Wi-Fi connectivity, power outlets, and leather seating.

To tackle frequent overbooking issues prior to 2014, Greyhound introduced a yield management system enabling dynamic fare pricing and improved seat allocation; nonetheless, seat guarantees remained limited except on Greyhound Express routes.

Between 2013 and 2015, Greyhound expanded its Greyhound Connect service aimed at linking rural communities to urban centers with federal funding assistance. In July 2015, it entered the Mexican market by opening terminals in Monterrey and Nuevo Laredo along with routes connecting into Texas—becoming the first U.S.-based bus operator providing intra-Mexican service. Later that year it broadened services in Missouri and Kansas following Megabus’s regional withdrawal.

The Lucky Streak brand focuses on casino destinations offering flexible open-ended round-trip fares alongside promotional partnerships providing gambling credits and discounts at Atlantic City casinos as well as Connecticut’s Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods resorts and locations in Las Vegas.

In February 2020, after notifying the Department of Homeland Security, Greyhound ceased permitting unwarranted immigration searches aboard its buses and facilities.

During late 2020 and early 2021, FirstGroup sold multiple Greyhound terminal properties—including Los Angeles (totaling $137 million for three sites), Denver ($38 million), Columbus ($9.5 million), Louisville ($2.8 million), and Cincinnati ($4.25 million)—as part of strategic asset optimization efforts.

In May 2021 all Canadian Greyhound routes were discontinued; however four cross-border U.S.-Canada routes remain active. Following this exit from Canada, fleet vehicles were auctioned off.

July 2021 saw BoltBus suspend operations indefinitely with Greyhound absorbing its routes. That month also included terminal sales in Columbus and Louisville continuing portfolio streamlining.

In September 2021 Greyhound reached a $2.2 million settlement resolving lawsuits related to warrantless immigration sweeps conducted by U.S. Customs agents on Washington State buses—a practice that had attracted considerable criticism for facilitating enforcement actions against undocumented passengers.

2021–present: FlixMobility

On October 21, 2021, the Munich-headquartered company Flix SE completed the acquisition of Greyhound for $78 million. In 2022, FirstGroup divested nearly all its remaining Greyhound assets to Twenty Lake Holdings LLC, an Alden Global Capital subsidiary, in a deal valued at approximately $140 million. Following this transaction, several bus stops were relocated, which sparked criticism due to the negative effect on passenger accessibility.

Notable incidents and collisions

Significant accidents involving Greyhound buses within the United States include:

• August 4, 1952: Near Waco, Texas, two Greyhound buses collided head-on, triggering fuel tank explosions and resulting in 28 fatalities, including both drivers.
• May 13, 1972: A Greyhound Scenicruiser experienced a head-on collision with a tractor-trailer close to Bean Station, Tennessee; 14 people lost their lives. The NTSB attributed the accident to unsafe overtaking by the bus operator.
• May 9, 1980: The MV Summit Venture collided with Florida’s Sunshine Skyway Bridge, causing a section to collapse and a Greyhound bus to plunge into Tampa Bay. All 26 passengers aboard perished.
• December 18, 1990: On Interstate 80 near Wyoming during a snowstorm, a Greyhound bus was struck by a semi-truck; seven passengers died and over forty were injured.
• June 20, 1998: A crash near Burnt Cabins, Pennsylvania resulted in six passenger deaths plus the driver. The NTSB identified driver fatigue and the use of sedating antihistamines as contributing factors.
• October 3, 2001: An assault on the bus driver near Manchester, Tennessee caused a crash that claimed six lives. Subsequently, security protocols at stations were enhanced.
• September 30, 2002: A driver attack near Fresno, California led to two fatalities; as a result, Greyhound implemented aisle gates and driver shields funded through a $16 million TSA grant.
• January 23, 2014: An assault on the driver near Tonopah, Arizona injured 24 passengers; the driver’s intervention prevented more severe consequences.
• January 19, 2016: A collision on Highway 101 in San Jose caused two deaths and eight injuries; poor road markings were identified as a factor.
• July 12, 2018: Colombian athletes en route to a championship were removed from a Greyhound bus following disputes over designated drop-off points.
• August 30, 2018: On Interstate 40 near Thoreau, New Mexico, a Greyhound bus collided with a semi-truck; eight individuals including the driver died.
• February 3, 2020: A shooting aboard a bus traveling from Los Angeles to San Francisco resulted in one fatality and five injuries; the driver managed to stop safely and summon help.
• February 2, 2022: At a convenience store stop in Oroville, California, a shooting incident left one dead and four wounded; the suspect was apprehended after fleeing the scene.
• July 12, 2023: Near Highland, Illinois, a westbound Greyhound bus struck three parked semis; three people died and fourteen sustained serious injuries. Driver fatigue was cited as the leading cause amid widespread parking shortages nationwide.

These events have shaped Greyhound’s safety protocols and operational standards throughout its U.S. service network.

See also

• List of Greyhound Bus stations

Former subsidiaries

• Atlantic Greyhound Lines
• Capitol Greyhound Lines
• Dixie Greyhound Lines
• Florida Greyhound Lines
• Great Lakes Greyhound Lines
• Greyhound Canada
• Southeastern Greyhound Lines
• Teche Greyhound Lines

Museums and preserved stations

• Freedom Rides Museum (Montgomery, Alabama)
• Greyhound Bus Museum (Hibbing, Minnesota)
• Old Greyhound Bus Station (Jackson, Mississippi) (private office)
• Old Greyhound Terminal (Washington, D.C.) (incorporated into building on site)

External links

• Official Greyhound Lines website
• Historical overview of "Northland Greyhound Lines" at Bluehounds and Redhounds
• Bluehounds and Redhounds – comprehensive history of Greyhound and Trailways
• Post-WWII history of Greyhound Lines on Bluehounds and Redhounds
• Greyhound Mexico official site
• Latest Greyhound schedules
• Archive containing schedule modifications, route maps, and timetables
• The Greyhound Bus Museum located in Hibbing, Minnesota