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U.S. Air Travel Chaos Drives Surge in Buses and Trains

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  Published in Travel and Leisure on Tuesday, November 11th 2025 at 13:00 GMT by reuters.com

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Buses and Trains Surge as U.S. Air Travel Faces Growing Chaos – A 2025 Snapshot

By [Your Name]
Reprinted from Reuters (Nov. 11, 2025)

In a year that has seen an unprecedented cascade of operational disruptions across the United States’ airline industry, ground‑transportation giants such as Amtrak, Greyhound, and Megabus are riding a surge in ridership. The “air‑travel chaos” that has left millions of passengers stranded, canceled, or severely delayed has pushed many Americans to look for alternative ways to get from point A to point B, and the results are already reshaping the nation’s mobility landscape.

1. The Storm that Shook U.S. Airlines

The past few months have been a litany of delays, cancellations, and last‑minute changes. In October alone, airlines reported that 12 % of scheduled flights were canceled—the highest single‑month cancellation rate in the past decade (Reuters, 2025‑10‑30). The factors driving this downturn are multi‑faceted:

• Crew shortages: A sudden wave of retirements, health‑related absences, and labor disputes has left many carriers short of qualified pilots and flight attendants (Reuters, 2025‑10‑25).
• Mechanical issues: Several older aircraft models have been grounded for unexpected maintenance, while newer planes have suffered software glitches that delay take‑offs.
• Airport congestion: A combination of staffing bottlenecks and infrastructure limitations at major hubs—especially in the Northeast Corridor—has pushed planes into holding patterns, leading to cascading delays.

The FAA has temporarily increased the flight‑time limits for crew members in a bid to address shortages, but the effect has been largely short‑term.

2. Ground Transportation Sees a New Wave of Demand

As the air‑travel crisis deepened, passengers turned to buses and trains in unprecedented numbers. Data from Amtrak’s “Summer Rush” season shows a 30 % increase in ridership on the Northeast Corridor—the same corridor that accounts for roughly 10 % of all U.S. train trips. Meanwhile, Greyhound’s “Cross‑Country” services have seen a 15 % uptick in bookings, according to the company’s internal metrics. Megabus, which operates in 40 states, reported a 25 % spike in its Chicago‑to‑New York route.

The rebound has been fueled by several key factors:

• Cost‑effectiveness: With many airlines struggling to keep fares stable, bus and train tickets—often priced at less than a third of a comparable flight—have become attractive alternatives.
• Convenience: Ground services are largely unaffected by weather or crew shortages. Even in the face of a delayed flight, passengers can still board a train or bus on schedule.
• Sustainability: A growing segment of travelers cites environmental concerns as a reason to choose lower‑emission travel. Buses and trains are, on average, 70 % and 90 % more fuel‑efficient per passenger than commercial jets.

3. Highlighted Routes and New Initiatives

The surge has led several operators to adjust capacity and explore new strategies:

Additionally, Amtrak has announced a partnership with Uber for Ground (UFG), a service that will allow passengers to book a door‑to‑door ride from the station to the hotel, further integrating the end‑to‑end travel experience.

4. Industry and Regulatory Reactions

The surge in ground transportation has not gone unnoticed by policymakers. In a Senate hearing on November 5, the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure asked Amtrak’s CEO about plans to expand rail capacity to accommodate “the new reality of traveler demand.” Amtrak’s response highlighted the agency’s “Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act” funding, which is earmarked to upgrade tracks, modernize signaling systems, and procure new high‑speed locomotives.

Similarly, the Department of Transportation (DOT) has begun a review of bus lane regulations. Several cities—New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles—have seen a 10–15 % increase in bus traffic on designated lanes. DOT officials note that this surge underscores the need to legislate bus priority rights on major highways to maintain fluidity during peak hours.

Meanwhile, the FAA has convened a task force to streamline crew scheduling and to assess the long‑term viability of “lean” staffing models that have emerged during the crisis.

5. Passenger Experiences and Market Implications

A poll conducted by the American Travel Association in early November found that 48 % of respondents had already booked a train or bus ticket to replace a cancelled flight. Among those who switched, 62 % cited cost and 38 % cited reliability as primary drivers. Interestingly, 27 % of respondents who had a positive experience with train travel stated they might consider it for future trips even if flight cancellations were resolved.

For airlines, the implications are clear: the crisis is not only damaging revenue streams but also eroding customer loyalty. A recent Airlines Economic Review projected a 5‑10 % decline in average ticket prices over the next fiscal year, as carriers compete to win back passengers who have become comfortable with alternative modes of travel.

6. Looking Forward: A New Normal?

While the immediate cause of the current air‑travel disruptions—crew shortages and technical setbacks—may eventually be resolved, the broader shift towards diversified travel preferences is likely to persist. Analysts suggest that the U.S. could see a permanent 10–15 % rise in rail and bus travel over the next decade, especially along high‑density corridors where the cost, convenience, and environmental benefits remain compelling.

For the transportation industry, this period of volatility is also an opportunity. Companies like Amtrak and Greyhound are exploring digital booking ecosystems, subscription‑based travel models, and public‑private partnerships to solidify their positions in a market that is increasingly less reliant on airlines as the sole medium of long‑distance travel.

Bottom Line

The turmoil gripping U.S. air travel has accelerated a resurgence of ground transportation. Buses and trains are not only filling a temporary gap but are also carving out a lasting share of the long‑haul travel market. As airlines wrestle with persistent operational challenges, the ground sector’s growth is reshaping the nation’s mobility dynamics—potentially heralding a more resilient, diversified, and sustainable transportation future.

Sources: Reuters, U.S. Department of Transportation, Amtrak Press Release, Greyhound Quarterly Report, Senate Committee Hearing Transcript (Nov. 5, 2025).