Trailways Transportation System
| Company type | Cooperative |
|---|---|
| Industry | Intercity bus transportation |
| Founded | February 5, 1936 |
| Founder | Burlington Transportation Company, Santa Fe Trails Transportation Company, Missouri Pacific Stages, Safeway Lines, Inc., Frank Martz Coach Company |
| Headquarters | Fairfax, Virginia , United States |
Area served | United States, North America |
| Products | Intercity bus services, charter buses, tours |
| Website | trailways |
The Trailways Transportation System is a network of approximately 70 autonomous bus companies operating within the United States, with its central administration located in Fairfax, Virginia.
History
The system was established on February 5, 1936, by prominent industry entities such as Burlington Transportation Company, Santa Fe Trails Transportation Company, Missouri Pacific Stages, Safeway Lines, Inc., and Frank Martz Coach Company. Originally named the National Trailways Bus System (NTBS), its creation aimed to challenge Greyhound Lines by forming a cooperative alliance of smaller operators rather than consolidating under a single ownership.
Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, four founding members merged to form Continental Trailways, which eventually controlled the majority of routes within the network. Holiday Inn, led by major shareholder and entrepreneur Kemmons Wilson, acquired Continental Trailways in 1968 and managed it as a subsidiary until its sale to private investor Henry Lea Hillman Sr. in 1979. This acquisition was part of Holiday Inn’s broader strategy to combine transportation services with its hospitality business.
Despite facing hurdles such as reduced passenger numbers after World War II and variable demand during the energy crises of 1973 and 1979, Trailways sustained a notable presence in the market. In 1986, Greyhound Lines separated from its parent company to concentrate exclusively on bus transportation. The subsequent year, under CEO Fred Currey—previously an executive at the largest Trailways member—Greyhound purchased Continental Trailways. This move diminished competition by assimilating the largest Trailways operator and later acquiring other members including Carolina Coach Company and Southeastern Trailways’ intercity routes.
Currently, many of the remaining Trailways companies have pivoted towards charter and tour services to adapt to evolving market conditions and foster continued growth.
Current members
Trailways members now provide services throughout North America, including charter buses, tours, and scheduled routes. Several members operate in regions with limited service from other providers and often collaborate through interline agreements with Greyhound Lines and independent carriers. They actively compete in motorcoach charters and tour markets across various locales.
As of April 2023, notable Trailways members include:
- Amador Trailways of California – Sacramento, California
- Amador Trailways of Nevada – Reno, Nevada
- Aries Trailways – Naperville, Illinois
- Arrow Trailways of Texas – Killeen, Texas
- Burlington Trailways – West Burlington, Iowa
- Capital Trailways of Alabama – Montgomery, Alabama
- Capital Trailways of Huntsville – Madison, Alabama
- Colonial Trailways – Mobile, Alabama
- Dakota Trailways – Spearfish, South Dakota
- David Thomas Trailways – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Dean Trailways – Lansing, Michigan
- Elbo Trailways – Heino, Netherlands
- First Class Trailways – St. Petersburg, Florida
- Fullington Trailways – State College, Pennsylvania
- Gold Line Trailways – Tuxedo, Maryland
- Great Canadian Trailways – Kitchener, Ontario
- Harmon Brothers Trailways – Union City, Georgia
- Heartland Trailways – Kansas City, Missouri
- Huskey Trailways – Festus, Missouri
- Martz Group – Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
- New York Trailways – Rochester, New York
- Northwestern Trailways – Spokane, Washington
- Pacific Coachways Trailways – Garden Grove, California
- Pine Hill Trailways – Hurley, New York
- Precious Cargo Trailways – Chagrin Falls, Ohio
- Red River Trailways – Shreveport, Louisiana
- Susquehanna Trailways – Williamsport, Pennsylvania
- Trailways of New York – Hurley, New York
- Thrasher Brothers Trailways – Birmingham, Alabama
- Utah Trailways – Salt Lake City, Utah
- VIA Trailways of Arizona – Tempe, Arizona
- VIA Trailways of Fresno – Fresno, California
- VIA Trailways of Merced – Merced, California
- Viking Trailways – Joplin, Missouri
- West Point Tours Trailways – Vails Gate, New York
Together these operators strengthen the brand’s competitive position and market reach through localized expertise and collaborative industry relationships.
See also
External links
- Articles with short description
- Trailways Transportation System
- American companies established in 1936
- Companies based in Fairfax, Virginia
- Cooperatives based in Virginia
- Franchises
- Intercity bus companies of the United States
- Transport companies established in 1936
- Transportation companies based in Virginia
- 5
- Companies of the United States by year of establishment