ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Intercity bus service is returning to downtown Asheville nearly a year after it was suspended in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, state transportation officials announced.
Beginning Aug. 1, Greyhound will operate pickup and drop-off services on Ashland Avenue, outside the Asheville Rides Transit (ART) Station, under contract with the N.C. Department of Transportation’s Integrated Mobility Division.
“Restoring service to Asheville has been a top priority,” said Brennon Fuqua, director of the 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.”
The relaunch follows months of planning between NCDOT and the city of Asheville. The bus stop had been at a gas station outside the city, which was destroyed during the storm.
The resumed service provides daily direct connections between Asheville and several North Carolina cities, including Charlotte, Winston-Salem, Greensboro, Chapel Hill and Raleigh. Riders can also connect to out-of-state destinations such as Washington, D.C.; New York; Atlanta; Greenville, South Carolina; and multiple cities in Virginia.
Greyhound, the nation’s largest intercity bus provider, operates state-supported routes that serve Asheville. The NCDOT uses federal and state funds to subsidize the routes, which link North Carolina communities to the national bus network.
“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,” Greyhound Chief Operating Officer Rodney Surber said in a news release. “After nearly a year of work to restore service in Asheville, we’re proud to finally get riders moving again.”
The updated service includes daytime schedules, faster transfers and improved connections to regional transit.
“The city is excited to welcome Greyhound back to Asheville,” Christopher Whitlock, Asheville’s Transit Division manager, said in the release. “Restoring this connection is an important step in returning regional mobility and providing our community with diverse travel options.”
Passengers can purchase tickets at Greyhound.com or through the Greyhound mobile app. More information on NCDOT’s intercity bus services is available on the department’s website.