Greyhound is returning to Asheville. Which destinations have daily, direct service?
'This is huge news for our community. We have folks who don't have access to a car, who don't have the resources or ability to fly, that have been stranded, not being able to connect with their family, for 10 months," City Council member Kim Roney told the Citizen Times July 31.
Greyhound will now pick up and drop off passengers on Asheland Avenue, outside of the downtown Asheville Rides Transit Station, the hub for the city's bus system. This means access to seating, shelter and restrooms for Greyhound riders, infrastructure that was lacking even before the storm, Roney said.
Riders will see new daytime-friendly schedules, faster transfers and easier connections to regional transit, according to the North Carolina Department of Transportation's July 30 news release. The service will be operated by Greyhound under contract with NCDOT's Integrated Mobility Division, which administers state and federal funds for public transportation, bicycle and pedestrian programs.
Proud to 'get riders moving again'
It is the result of months of coordination between Greyhound, a Flix North America brand and the largest provider of intercity bus services in the country; the city of Asheville; and NCDOT.
Issues with intercity transit predate Helene. The Tunnel Road Greyhound station closed in November 2020 — the building has since been converted into a bar — and in the years since, the stop has been located at multiple gas stations, at times departing in early mornings before city buses began running, Roney said.
"What we're seeing today is the partnership that always should have happened, which is connecting with the city transit system," Roney said.
Travelers will have access to daily direct service between Asheville and Charlotte, Winston-Salem, Greensboro, Chapel Hill and Raleigh. They can also connect to out-of-state destinations on the national intercity bus network, including Richmond and Norfolk, Virginia; Washington, DC; New York; Atlanta, Georgia; and Greenville, South Carolina.
Roy Harris, a frequent rider before Helene, said he was "thrilled" to hear of Greyhound's return. For those looking to travel out of town, there are limited options, he said. Flying is often cost prohibitive. There is no passenger rail in Asheville and Harris no longer drives.
Without Greyhound as an option, he once took a pricey Uber ride several towns over to catch a bus.
For low- to moderate-income people, he said the Greyhound service, now departing from the transit station, will "help us greatly" to travel to and from the city.
'Intercity bus travel is a lifeline for so many people in this region — providing an affordable way to visit family and access jobs and healthcare across North Carolina and beyond,' said Greyhound chief operating officer Rodney Surber in a news release.
'After nearly a year of work to restore service in Asheville, we're proud to finally get riders moving again. We're especially grateful to the state and local officials whose partnership made this possible.'
The relaunch marks a major step forward in restoring vital transportation access for Asheville and surrounding communities, said a city news release.
Asheville is also conducting a strategic review of its bus system operations, aimed at aligning routes, schedules and resources with community needs. It will provide recommendations for improving service efficiency, expanding transit access and preparing for future growth. The city contracted with Portland-based Jarrett Walker & Associates for the study in March.
How much are tickets?
Prices vary depending on what day and time a rider is departing, but trips for a single rider, departing from Asheville, include:
To Charlotte: $26.98; 2 hours, 40 minutes.
To Winston-Salem: $36.98; 2 hours, 30 minutes.
To Greensboro, North Carolina: $40.98; 3 hours, 20 minutes.
To Chapel Hill: $28.48; 4 hours, 25 minutes.
To Raleigh: $44.98; 5 hours, 10 minutes.
To Richmond: $49.47; 10 hours, 35 minutes.
To DC: $64.97; 12 hours, 45 minutes.
Tickets are available now and can be purchased on the Greyhound website or mobile app.
More: Historic WNC railway to be restored after Helene; Asheville freight rail service resumes
More: Former Greyhound bus station-turned-cocktail lounge opens soon in Asheville
More: An Asheville respite supports the unhoused after hospital stays. It is now expanding.
Sarah Honosky is the city government reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. News Tips? Email shonosky@citizentimes.com or message on Twitter at @slhonosky.
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Greyhound bus service returns to Asheville after Helene-related hiatus
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