ASHEVILLE – Asheville's intercity bus service has carried more than 10,000 riders in less than a year since it relaunched following Hurricane Helene.
That indicates the service — funded by the N.C. Department of Transportation and operated by Flix North America/Greyhound — is fulfilling its goal of expanding access to jobs, education and healthcare.
“Intercity bus service plays a critical role in North Carolina's transportation network, particularly for rural and mountain communities," said Brennon Fuqua, NCDOT's Integrated Mobility Division director. “This achievement shows the value of strong state, local and private partnerships when expanding mobility."
The service paused Sept. 27, 2024, due to Hurricane Helene, then relaunched Aug. 1, 2025. Since then, it has seen steady monthly growth sparked by people who are seeking affordable, reliable connections across the state and country.
“Reaching more than 10,000 riders in under a year shows just how essential intercity bus service is for the Asheville community and the surrounding region," said Rodney Surber, chief operating officer at Greyhound. “For many of our passengers, Greyhound isn't just a way to get from point A to point B. It's how they visit family, attend events, and stay connected to opportunities across the country. We're proud to deliver that value to the Asheville community every day, and we remain committed to keeping these connections strong."
City officials said the service is helping close transportation gaps.
“This is a great milestone both for transit passengers and for Asheville's recovery," said Asheville Transit Division Manager Chris Whitlock. “It's encouraging to see our community using this service to travel to other areas of North Carolina and beyond."
By the numbers:
- More than 10,000 riders since Aug. 1, 2025
- Ridership for this period exceeds the same period in 2022, 2023 and 2024
- Riders have traveled as far as California
- Asheville service connects 292 destinations nationwide
- 26% of the trips to and from Asheville are Charlotte
- Other top in-state cities: Raleigh, Greensboro, Winston-Salem and Chapel Hill
- Top out-of-state cities: Atlanta, New York City and Washington, D.C.
- About 65% of trips are in state and 35% out of state
Passengers can book tickets and learn more about services by visiting Greyhound.com or on the Greyhound mobile app.
To learn more about NCDOT's Integrated Mobility Division intercity bus service, visit the webpage.