Greyhound is expanding its service in Iowa, connecting Des Moines with additional Iowa destinations as well as Indianapolis and St. Louis, owner Flix North America has announced.
It said new Iowa stops will be in Mount Pleasant, Burlington, Ottumwa, Oskaloosa and Monroe. There also will be a new stop in Quincy, Illinois. That’s in addition to existing stops in Cedar Rapids, Marshalltown, Burlington and Bloomington and Champaign in Illinois.
The Iowa Department of Transportation, which subsidizes bus service, especially for rural areas with limited airport access, is providing support for the expansion, Flix said in a news release.
“The Iowa Department of Transportation welcomes Greyhound’s launch of these new routes, which will expand travel options and improve regional connectivity for Iowans,” Matt Oetker, IDOT transit programs administrator, said in the release. “Enhanced intercity mobility supports our communities, strengthens our economy, and helps ensure that all travelers have access to reliable transportation choices.”
“Through this new service, we are strengthening vital connections across Iowa, supporting local economies, and linking residents to Greyhound’s nationwide network,” Karina Frayter, head of communications at Flix North America, said in the release.
Where do buses on the new routes have stops?
Once-a-day service in each direction began Tuesday, March 17, on the Indianapolis and St. Louis routes, it said. Greyhound already provides service to other Midwestern destinations from Des Moines, including Chicago, Omaha, Minneapolis and Kansas City, Missouri.
Des Moines-to-St. Louis stops will be Marshalltown, Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, Mount Pleasant and Quincy. Des Moines-to-Indianapolis stops will be Monroe, Oskaloosa, Ottumwa, Burlington, Bloomington and Champaign.
The Des Moines Greyhound bus stop is at 1641 E Euclid Ave.
Greyhound expansion is second in recent months
Greyhound last fall announced it was adding service to Chicago and Denver from Des Moines after Burlington Trailways cut back on some of its routes because of layoffs.
Flix North America, with service in the United States, Mexico and Canada, is part of Munich-based FlixMobility, one of the world’s largest bus and passenger train service providers. It became the largest bus line in the United States when it purchased Greyhound in 2021 for $78 million.
Flix North America integrated Greyhound’s ticketing system with its own in 2023.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Greyhound adds new service to Indianapolis, St. Louis from Des Moines
Reporting by Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
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