Motorcoach Travel Connectivity Research

This American Bus Association Foundation (ABAF) commissioned research compares the cost and environmental impact of the Essential Air Service (EAS) program with an alternative program to connect communities to regional airports using coach bus service. 

Comparison of Essential Air Service Program to Alternative Coach Bus Service

Executive Summary

• About the Report: This 2011 report compares the cost and environmental impact of subsidized air service provided to rural communities under the Essential Air Service (EAS) program to an alternative method of connecting these rural communities to the nationwide air transport system. The alternative transport mode analyzed here is the scheduled intercity coach bus service between these rural communities and nearby regional hub airports.
• Key Highlights:
  • For every community analyzed, the total cost of bus service, including bus operating costs and the “cost” to passengers of additional trip time, is significantly less than the cost of current EAS air service.
  • For more than half of the routes, the actual cost of operating coach buses, not including travel time ($/passenger), is less than the fare currently charged for air flights, not including the subsidy.
  • If only the bus routes for which per-passenger operating costs are higher than current airfares were subsidized, and if the subsidy was set equal to the difference between current fares and bus operating costs, then the total required annual subsidy for coach bus service to these 38 communities would be $8.6 million. Compared to current annual EAS subsidies for these 38 communities, annual savings to taxpayers could be $50 million per year or more.

Citation

• How to Cite This Report: American Bus Association. (2011). Comparison of Essential Air Service Program to Alternative Coach Bus Service. Retrieved from https://www.buses.org/aba-foundation-research-summary/motorcoach-industry-connectivity-and-access-research/.
• Report Author: M.J. Bradley & Associates LLC.
• Sponsored by: American Bus Association Foundation.
• Contact information: For inquiries, email research@buses.org or call (202) 218-7227.

Methodology

• This report was compiled using information taken from the U.S. Department of Transportation EAS Subsidy Report, May 2010, and the websites of carriers serving the routes analyzed, as well as other public data sources.