Trailways Transportation System
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The Trailways Transportation System is a group of 63 independent bus companies that have entered into a franchise agreement.
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History
The system used to provide coast-to-coast service as the National Trailways Bus System (NTBS). Greyhound Lines grew so quickly in the 1920s and 1930s that the Interstate Commerce Commission encouraged smaller independent operators to form the National Trailways Bus System (NTBS) to provide competitive markets. Unlike Greyhound which centralized ownership, Trailways member companies became a formidable competitor while staying an association of almost 100 separate companies.
Regular route bus ridership in the United States declined steadily after World War II, despite minor gains during the 1973 and 1979 energy crisises. By 1986, the Greyhound bus line had been spun-off from the parent company to new owners, which resulted in Greyhound Lines becoming solely a bus transportation company. It was sold off to new owners headed by Fred Currey, a former executive with the largest member of the National Trailways Bus System. (The old Greyhound parent changed its name to Dial, Inc.)
Under the new ownership in 1987, led by Currey, Greyhound Lines shortly thereafter acquired the former Continental Trailways company, the largest member of the rival National Trailways Bus System, effectively eliminating a large portion of the bus competition. Although Greyhound negotiated cooperative schedules with Carolina Coach Company and Southeastern Trailways, two of the larger members of the Trailways system, many smaller carriers were effectively forced out of business. Most of the survivors diversified into charters and tours.
Current Trailways franchises
Today the various Trailways franchises are spread across North America, with some members providing regular route service to areas not served by any other bus company on an interlining basis with Greyhound Lines, each other, and independent companies. Members generally also offer motorcoach charters and tours in competitive markets.
List of franchises
- Abbott Trailways, Roanoke, VA
- Adirondack Trailways, Hurley, NY
- Alpha Trailways, Cincinnati, OH
- Anchor Trailways, Nashville, TN
- Arrow Trailways of Texas, Killeen, TX
- Atlantic Coast Trailways, Hagerstown, MD
- Bristol Trailways, Bristol, VT
- Bristol Trailways of Florida, Orlando, FL
- Burlington Trailways, West Burlington, IA
- C&J Trailways, Portsmouth, NH
- Capital City Trailways of Georgia, Atlanta, GA
- Capital Trailways of Alabama, Montgomery, AL
- Capital Trailways of Huntsville, Madison, AL
- Capital Trailways of Mississippi, Richland, MS
- Capitol Trailways of Pennsylvania, Harrisburg, PA
- Carolina Trailways, Raleigh, NC
- Central States Trailways, St. Louis, MO
- Colonial Trailways, Mobile, AL
- Concord Trailways, Concord, NH
- Dakota Trailways, Spearfish, SD
- Dean Trailways of Michigan, Lansing, MI
- Dixon Meyers Trailways, Mt. Morris, IL
- Eagle Trailways, Statesboro, GA
- Elbo Trailways, The Netherlands
- First Priority Trailways, District Heights, MD
- Fullington Trailways, Clearfield, PA
- Gentry Trailways, Knoxville, TN
- Georgia Trailways, Macon, GA
- Golden Express Trailways, New York, NY
- Gotta Go Trailways, Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX
- Great Canadian Trailways, Ontario, Canada
- Lakefront Trailways, Cleveland, OH
- Lancaster Trailways, the Carolinas, Lancaster, SC
- Lion Trailways, Rio Grande, NJ
- Lone Star Trailways, Tyler, TX
- Louisiana Trailways, Marrero, LA
- Martz Trailways, Wilkes-Barre, PA
- Myers Trailways, Export, PA
- New York Trailways, Hurley, NY
- Northwestern Trailways, Spokane, WA
- Orange Belt Trailways, Visalia, CA
- Pacific Trailways of Southern California, Garden Grove, CA
- Paradise Trailways, W. Hempstead, NY
- Peter Pan Trailways, Springfield, MA
- Pine Hill Trailways, Hurley, NY
- Prairie Coach Trailways, Dell Rapids, SD
- Prairie Trailways, Chicago, IL
- Rimrock Trailways, Billings, MT
- Rocky Mountain Trailways, Rexburg, ID
- Royal Tours Trailways, Randleman, NC
- Salter Trailways, Jonesboro, LA
- Samson Trailways, East Point, GA
- San Antonio Trailways, San Antonio, TX
- Sierra Trailways of California, Sacramento, CA
- Sierra Trailways of Texas, South Houston, TX
- Southeastern Trailways, Indianapolis, IN
- St. Cloud Trailways, St. Cloud, MN
- Susquehanna Trailways, Avis, PA
- Thrasher Brothers Trailways, Birmingham, AL
- Transportes InterCalifornias Trailways, Los Angeles, CA
- Travel Mates Trailways, Harrisonburg, VA
- Utah Trailways, Salt Lake City, UT
- Viking Trailways, Joplin, MO
- Western Trailways of Canada, Delta, British Columbia
- West Point Trailways, Vails Gate, NY
External links
Trailways website (http://www.trailways.com/)