When airfare prices surged and airport disruptions left travelers scrambling, millions across the U.S. and Canada turned to FlixBus and Greyhound for a more affordable, reliable way to reach their destinations.
That shift is reflected in new data from Flix North America, which reports a 7.5% year-over-year increase in holiday ridership across the U.S. and North America. In Canada, FlixBus saw even stronger growth, with a 128% year-over-year increase in ridership, underscoring growing demand for intercity bus travel across borders.
“This holiday season demonstrated how essential intercity buses are in keeping people connected across North America,” says Kai Boysan, CEO of Flix North America. “With rising airfare, airport disruptions, and high travel costs, more travelers are recognizing FlixBus and Greyhound as a dependable and affordable way to reach their destinations.”
Even with increased ridership, FlixBus and Greyhound outperformed major U.S. airlines in on-time performance, maintaining 82% (FlixBus) and 79.8% (Greyhound) on-time rates throughout the holiday season. These numbers highlight the reliability of intercity buses, especially as winter weather created delays across other modes of travel.
Opportunity for growth
This surge in bus travel aligns with a new report from DePaul University that says intercity bus ridership is poised to grow this year as more travelers seek affordable, sustainable, and accessible transportation options.
As travel costs remain high, intercity buses play a larger role in expanding connectivity between cities and small towns. Flix North America plans to expand routes, strengthen intermodal connections, and improve accessibility across the U.S. and Canada to meet the growing demand.
“With nearly 40% of Americans lacking access to reliable transportation, we see a tremendous opportunity to expand service and improve connectivity,” says Boysan. “Flix North America is committed to working with local and regional partners to enhance transit options, ensuring bus travel remains a viable and affordable choice for more communities.”
