ASHEVILLE – The N.C. Department of Transportation is resuming intercity bus service in downtown Asheville nearly a year after it was suspended due to Hurricane Helene. The service will be operated by Greyhound under contract with NCDOT's Integrated Mobility Division.
Beginning Aug. 1, Greyhound will pick up and drop off passengers on Ashland Avenue outside of the downtown Asheville Rides Transit (ART) Transit Station. The new arrangement is the result of months of coordination with the NCDOT's Integrated Mobility Division and Asheville.
“Restoring service to Asheville has been a top priority," said Brennon Fuqua, director of NCDOT's Integrated Mobility Division. “This is not just about getting buses back on the road. It's about ensuring residents have reliable, affordable transportation to access not only our great state but also the nation. Access to transportation is access to opportunity."
NCDOT provides federal and state funds for the intercity bus service and Greyhound serves as the contract operator for the state agency. NCDOT oversees a state-wide intercity bus program that provides daily connectivity to both urban and rural destinations. Greyhound is the operator of both routes that will serve Asheville. Through collaboration with NCDOT and Greyhound all state-subsidized routes connect with the national intercity bus network to allow North Carolinians to travel throughout the country.
The relaunch marks a major step forward in restoring vital transportation access for Asheville and surrounding communities.
Travelers will have access to daily direct service between Asheville and Charlotte, Winston-Salem, Greensboro, Chapel Hill and Raleigh. They can also connect easily out-of-state destinations on the national intercity bus network, including Richmond and Norfolk Virginia; Washington, D.C.; New York; Atlanta; and Greenville, South Carolina.
Prior to Hurricane Helene, the intercity bus stop was located at a gas station outside of Asheville. When the gas station was destroyed, service was suspended.
Greyhound, the largest provider of intercity bus services in the United States, emphasized the importance of the renewed partnership.
“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. “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."
Riders will see new daytime-friendly schedules, faster transfers and easier connections to regional transit.
“The city is excited to welcome Greyhound back to Asheville and to have them connect directly to our downtown Transit Center," said Christopher Whitlock, Asheville's Transit Division manager. “After Tropical Storm Helene disrupted Greyhound service, restoring this connection is an important step in returning regional mobility and providing our community with diverse travel options."
Passengers can book tickets and learn more about Greyhound's service 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.