Greyhound's Closure Could Leave Chicago Without an Intercity Bus Depot
Impact of Greyhound's Closure on Chicago's Transportation
As Greyhound prepares to shut its station at 630 W. Harrison St. on September 20, Chicago may join only two other cities lacking intercity bus terminals:
- Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Nairobi, Kenya
DePaul University emphasizes the urgent need for a bus depot as the city's weather conditions are considerably harsher than those in Kinshasa and Nairobi.
Comparison with Other Major Cities
Unlike Chicago, both New York and Los Angeles have established intercity bus services. The Port Authority Bus Terminal in New York is set for a $10 billion replacement project, and Los Angeles Union Station accommodates Greyhound and FlixBus.
If Greyhound's closure goes through, Chicago risks maintaining only curbside loading areas, creating accessibility issues for transit users, particularly for those who rely heavily on public transportation.
Community Implications
Greyhound CEO Kai Boysan stated the shutdown would disproportionately affect minority groups and lower-income individuals. This further complicates access to vital transportation services in a city that already faces challenges.
Greyhound's historical struggles with station closures began in 2021, underlining the national trend affecting intercity travel.
This article was prepared using information from open sources in accordance with the principles of Ethical Policy. The editorial team is not responsible for absolute accuracy, as it relies on data from the sources referenced.