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EspañolGREYHOUND LINES
'Greyhound Lines' is the largest inter-city common carrier of passengers by bus in North America , serving 2,200 destinations in the United States. It was founded in Hibbing, Minnesota in 1914 and incorporated as "The Greyhound Corporation" in 1926. Today, it is headquartered in Dallas, Texas (United States operations) and Calgary, Alberta (Canadian operations), and is a subsidiary of the publicly traded bus operator Laidlaw. In February 2007, Britain's largest public transport company, FirstGroup plc, bought Laidlaw International, the U.S. owner of Greyhound buses. Its famous name and its logo are based on the Greyhound, the fastest breed of dog used in dog racing.
Early history, growth
Today's Greyhound is the result of nearly a century of expansion and acquisition. The company has been headquartered in Hibbing, Duluth, and Minneapolis, Minnesota, Chicago, Illinois, Phoenix, Arizona, and now Dallas, Texas. 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.
Eastern Greyhound Lines of Ohio, Yellow Coach, ''photo credit Redden Archives''
Making Greyhound
Carl Wickman was born in Sweden in 1887 . He moved to the United States, and in 1914 began a bus service in Minnesota where he transported iron ore miners from Hibbing to Alice at 15 cents a ride in a 1914 Hupmobile.[1]
In 1915 Wickman joined forces with Ralph Bogan, who was running a similar service from Hibbing to Duluth. The name of the new organization was the Mesaba Transportation Company, and it made $8,000 in profit in its first year.
By the end of the First World War Wickman owned 18 buses, and was making an annual profit of $40,000. In 1922 Wickman joined forces with Orville Caesar, the owner of the Superior White Bus Lines. Four years later, Wickman reached an agreement with two West Coast operations, the Pickwick Lines and the Pioneer Yelloway System.
In 1926 Wickman's bus operations became known as the Greyhound Lines. Wickman, who was president of the company, continued to expand, and by 1927 his buses were making transcontinental trips from California to New York.
Wickman's business suffered during the Great Depression, and by 1931 was over $1 million in debt. However, with the improvement in the economy, the Greyhound Corporation began to prosper again. In 1935 Wickman was able to announce record profits of $8 million. By the outbreak of the Second World War the company had 4,750 stations and nearly 10,000 employees.
Wickman retired as president of Greyhound Corporation in 1946, and was replaced by his long-time partner, Orville Caesar. Carl Wickman died at the age of sixty-seven in 1954.
After World War II, and the building of the Interstate Highway System beginning in 1956 , automobile ownership and travel became a preferred mode of travel in the United States. Along with a similar downward trend in public transportation in general, ridership on Greyhound and Trailways bus routes began a long decline.
But for many young people from Europe, Greyhound was the way they got to know America because of a special unlimited mileage offer.
Ready for boarding in Salem, Oregon for a fast trip north on new Interstate 5 in Autumn 1965.
Greyhound established the Premier Cruise Line in 1983. It would last until 2000, and at one time billed itself as the "Official Cruise Line of Walt Disney World".
In late 1984 , Greyhound had a very bitter bus driver's strike, with one fatality in Zanesville, Ohio. By the time contract negotiations were due again three years later, the bus line had been spun-off from the parent company to new owners, which resulted in Greyhound Lines becoming solely a bus transportation company headed by Fred Currey, a former executive with the largest member of the National Trailways Bus System. Greyhound's corporate headquarters then relocated to Dallas, Texas. The old parent changed its name to the Dial Corporation.
Greyhound Lines is spun-off from parent
Greyhound station in Columbia, South Carolina, built in 1938-1939. Photo taken in 1986. Greyhound stopped using it in 1987.
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 Trailways carriers were effectively forced out of business.
Three years later there was another costly strike. This, combined with the loss of diversification and strength of the former parent company, and labor-law violations, forced the company to file for bankruptcy, from which it emerged in the early 1990s. At the same time, Greyhound had to contend with the rise of low-cost airlines like Southwest Airlines, which reduced further the market for long-distance inter-city bus transportation.
In 1997 , Greyhound Lines acquired Carolina Trailways, one of the largest members of the National Trailways Bus System. Though today Carolina Trailways still operates as a brand name, most of the other independent members of the Trailways System fell into line and began interlining cooperatively with Greyhound. Some discontinued regular route services, diversified into charters and tours, or went out of business.
Laidlaw ownership
In 1998, Hamilton, Ontario-based transportation conglomerate Laidlaw Inc. acquired a majority interest in Greyhound Lines, Inc. (U.S. operations) and Greyhound Lines of Canada, including Carolina Trailways and other Greyhound affiliates.
After incurring heavy losses through its investments in Greyhound Lines and other parts of its diversified business, Laidlaw Inc. filed for protection under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code in June 2001 .
A Greyhound bus in the newest livery.
Naperville, Illinois-based Laidlaw International, Inc. listed its common shares on the New York Stock Exchange (Ticker: LI), on February 10, 2003, and emerged from re-organization on June 23, 2003, as the successor to Laidlaw Inc.
It was announced on February 9, 2007, that FirstGroup plc, a transportation company based in Scotland, will acquire Laidlaw International for US$3.6 billion (£1.9 billion). This will mark the second time that Greyhound Lines will be owned by a foreign interest.[2]
Greyhound Lines in the 21st century
During 2004, Greyhound Lines announced major schedule reductions in its route system, particularly in the northwest and north-central United States, and elimination of some long-distance routes. Similar changes were taking place during 2005 in other parts of the country. These changes have eliminated some routes, most notably the Interstate 90 route between Chicago and Seattle, and cut many stops in rural areas. Service to rural towns has been assumed by local transit agencies or independent bus companies, requiring government subsidy in some cases.[3][4]
Neon Greyhound station sign.
Recently, Greyhound has come under criticism for its bus assignment practices. Although bus tickets have times and dates printed on them, seating is not guaranteed, and is first-come, first-served. Greyhound will add additional "sections" (buses) in periods of high demand, but the threshold required to trigger an additional section varies. Passengers may have to wait several hours to take the next bus.[5]
Increasingly, concern has been given to bus security. As a result of the September 11, 2001 attacks, train and airplane security have been substantially increased, but the same increase has not been provided to bus security. Drug smuggling is increasingly common on buses, as baggage is not inspected, nor is identification checked. Greyhound says that metal detector wands have been deployed on buses, but they do not appear to be routinely used.[6] Although the majority of bus terminals continue to operate from the downtowns of major cities, some terminals can be found in depressed neighborhoods. Specifically, the terminal in Los Angeles, one of the busiest terminals in the country, is located adjacent to Skid Row. In comparison, Megabus has its terminal located in the bus area of Union Station, which is much safer and offers connections to all over the Los Angeles metropolitan area. Competition from discount airlines like Southwest Airlines, increased reliability of inexpensive automobiles for long trips, and other bus lines attracting an Internet-savvy rider market such as Chinatown bus lines and Megabus have led to Greyhound's revenue decline. Prisoners are often transported on Greyhound buses, some unescorted. The inmates, mostly offenders deemed a low flight risk, sign contracts to show up, but some flee anyway.[7]
During the past few years, Greyhound Lines has been expanding its charter and sightseeing services, and is the largest operator of Gray Line Sightseeing Tours franchises in major markets. Though it no longer owns the firm, Greyhound's fleet is still composed primarily of buses built by Motor Coach Industries (MCI).
Greyhound also has been taking steps to improve its supposed image among the general public that bus transit is a less desirable mode of travel, it has been refurbushing its terminals, adding new buses, and staffing terminals with associates who are able to help those who have questions about the bus system. Much of this is directed at the competition that has developed in the intercity bus market, with Megabus and other companies having a much more modern, comfortable fleet than Greyhound.
Notable accidents/incidents
On August 28, 2006, at approximately 6:45 p.m. local time, a Greyhound bus traveling from New York City to Montreal overturned on the Adirondack Northway in Westport, New York, after suffering a blown tire, killing five and injuring 48. [3] [4]
On November 27, 2005, at approximately 7:10 a.m. local time, a Greyhound bus traveling from Los Angeles to San Francisco crashed near Santa Maria, killing two people, one of whom was a 7-month-pregnant woman. While the cause remains unknown, at the time of the crash, driver fatigue was suspected.[8] Later, an epileptic seizure was cited as a possible cause.[9]
On October 3, 2001, at approximately 4:15 a.m. local time, Greyhound passenger Damir Igric attacked the driver of his bus, slitting his throat. The bus careened off the highway and crashed near Manchester, Tennessee, killing Igric and five other passengers and injuring 32 others. As the incident occurred only weeks after the September 11 terrorist attacks, Greyhound shut down their entire system as soon as they learned of the incident for fear that it may have been part of a larger co-ordinated attack. After investigation by the company and the FBI, it was confirmed that Igric had acted alone, and service resumed later that afternoon.[10] Since the incident, Greyhound bus stations increased security, though not nearly to the same level as airports or train stations.
The worst accident to befall Greyhound occurred on May 9, 1980, when a freight ship collided with the Sunshine Skyway Bridge across Tampa Bay in Florida. A Greyhound bus was among several vehicles falling into the bay. A total of 35 people, including all 26 on the bus, died.
A major accident happened at Bean Station, Tennessee in 1972, when a Greyhound Scenicruiser hit a tractor trailer head on. Fifteen people on the bus were killed, including the driver.
Security
Greyhound announced in a press conference in 2007 that a pilot program to test various security measures would be implemented at select stations and on select coaches starting later in the year. Some of the stations included in this project, which is already in effect, are in Boston, Cleveland, Dallas, and St. Louis. Measures may include:
★ Requiring photo ID to be displayed by all adult passengers prior to boarding. Minors, in accordance with Greyhound's policy, must either have to be accompanied by a parent or a legal guardian, or to obtain permission to travel from one [5].
★ In the United States, passengers who are not citizens will be screened to determine the legality of their presence within the country's borders. Also, some may be checked for outstanding felony warrants, and boarding may be denied to those who fit into one of these categories.
★ Passengers may have their luggage visually searched. Devices similar to those used at airports may be used to check passengers and luggage prior to boarding buses for various banned items, including firearms, explosives, or other hazardous materials.
★ On some coaches now, operators are shielded from passengers while the coach is in motion. A gate now prevents passengers from entering the driver area. Though the gate does not prevent emergency exit, it will continue to shield the driver if opened by a passeneger while the coach is in motion.
★ Installing video surveillance on coaches and at stations.
★ Installing GPS tracking devices on select coaches. In addition to providing emergency location of the vehicle, this may also alert supervisors of unsafe driving behavior on part of the operator, including speeding.
★ Operators at their own discretion now reserve the right to prohinit or limit the use of mobile phones while the coach is in motion.
★ Greyhound policy already prohibits taking photographs, videotaping, or audiotaping while on board coaches or within stations [6].
Greyhound in Australia
In Australia, the primary long-distance bus carrier is 'Greyhound Australia', a company not related to the North American Greyhound bus operations.
Trivia
★ The song "Ramblin’ Man" by The Allman Brothers Band contains the lines "I was born in the backseat of a Greyhound bus; Rollin’ down Highway 41."
★ Greyhound also played a part as the background transportation 'vehicle' (In this case bus number 6072, a 2000 MCI 45-foot coach) for Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie during the third season of ''The Simple Life'' in 2005.
★ Funkmaster Flex has a Greyhound bus that is called the pimpmobile with the Funkmaster Flex logo. He often is seen in advertisements for Greyhound promotions.
★ Greyhound's ultra-famous slogan is "Go Greyhound, and leave the driving to us!" In the past, the slogan has had a tune attached to it, and has been sung as a radio and television commercial jingle.
★ In Billy Joel's song 'New York State of Mind', he mentions that he's taking a Greyhound 'on the Hudson River line'.
★ The Drifters classic On Broadway, also a hit by several other artists, mentions ''I'll catch a Greyhound bus for home they all say.''
★ In Simon and Garfunkel's famous song 'America', the protagonist sings of "boarding a Greyhound in Pittsburgh".
★ Brooklyn rock band Bent Outta Shape wrote a song entitled "Greyhound Bus" on their 2005 album "Stray Dog Town."
★ Stand-up Comedian James Inman published 'Greyhound Diary' in 2005 about his journeys across the United States. Inman often uses a slide-show in his act, which was revisited by Doug Levitt and broadcast on CNN in 2006 in a segment entitled 'Greyhound Diaries', which was also the name of Levitt's Album of modern protest songs.
Fleet
★ Motor Coach Industries MC 102DL3
★ Motor Coach Industries MC-12
★ Motor Coach Industries D4500
★ Motor Coach Industries G4500
Nicknames of Past Coaches
★ General Motors PD-4501 Scenicruiser
★ Motor Coach Industries MC 6-Supercruiser
★ Motor Coach Industries MC 7-Scenicruiser Super 7
★ Motor Coach Industries MC 8-Americruiser
★ Motor Coach Industries MC 9-Americruiser II (aka Crusader II)
Later models (MC 96A3, AC 102A3, MC-12) Bore only
the Americruiser name.
Silver Stripe Americruiser
A special award given to veteran drivers with excellent records.
These coaches are noted for the driver's name on the passenger door
with the words "Silver Stripe Americruiser" underneath.
Also, a silver stripe was present in the paint scheme
alongside the ascending blue paint up to the roof.
Greyhound quit doing this, which (among other things) has led
to slowly declining morale among drivers.
References
1. Greyhound Bus Museum
2. Laidlaw International Announces Agreement to Be Acquired by FirstGroup, SEC filing
3. The Greyhound doesn't stop here anymore, Mike Bucsko and Cindi Lash, ''Pittsburgh Post-Gazette'', November 13, 2005
4. Doghouse On Wheels, Emily Lambert, Forbes.com, January 31, 2005
5. [1]
6. [2]
7. Bus riding may SEEM like prison, but... Betsy Z. Russell, blog entry, May 23, 2005
8. Police: Driver fatigue likely factor in fatal bus crash, CNN.com, November 28, 2005; date accessed July 9, 2007
9. Lawsuit settled in bus crash, Samantha Yale, ''Santa Maria Times'', March 17, 2007; date accessed: July 9, 2007
10. FBI say bus attack wasn't terrorism, CNN.com, October 4, 2001; date accessed: July 9, 2007
See also
★ Bus
★ Laidlaw
★ Jefferson Lines
★ Peter Pan Bus Lines
★ Trailways Transportation System
★ Greyhound Air - Defunct low-cost airline in Canada
★ Greyhound Australia
★ Greyhound Lines of Canada
★ First Avenue, a nightclub that currently operates out of a former Greyhound Bus Terminal in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
External links
★ Greyhound Lines home page
★ [http://www.greyhound.com/home.asp Greyhound lines, non-flash homepage
★ Greyhound Canada
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