The American Bus Association is releasing its latest annual Motorcoach Census today, and it strikes quite a blow at those who support increased funding for Amtrak. A “motorcoach” is a long-distance bus longer than 35 feet whose passenger deck is typically elevated above luggage bays. The census counts only private buses available for public use; transit agency buses and private buses used only for private use, such as Google commuter buses, are not counted.
Click image to download the report.
Most intercity buses are motorcoaches, but motorcoaches are also used for charters, tours, commuting, airport service, and other purposes. According to the survey, slightly more than 30 percent of the more than 1.9 billion motorcoach miles traveled in 2012 were scheduled, intercity buses.