Bus Travel Is Growing Around the World, But Airline Competition Is Increasing
Photo Credit: Some 2.8 billion trips are made by bus in Mexico each year. Pictured is an ADO bus terminal in Mexico, one of the country's largest bus lines. ADO
Skift Take
As economies around the world continue to fluctuate from boom to bust times, the bus market will remain relevant to capitalize on what consumers can afford and what amenities they're willing to give up -- or gain -- from choosing the road over the skies.
For all the glitz and glamor that can encompass the airline passenger experience, millions of travelers around the world still prefer to board a coach bus and hit the road -- traveling hundreds or thousands of miles -- to their destinations.
That's particularly true in countries such as Mexico where rail travel, another alternative to flying, is a less popular option. India's rail system isn't the most comfortable and Ireland's trains aren't very convenient as they only connect a few major hubs and neglect rural areas and smaller cities and towns, for example.
Flying is also perceived as an expensive mode of travel by many travelers in Mexico, a country where flying isn't as popular as in others like the U.S. While flying domestically in Mexico often stretches travel budgets for many locals, that situation is being turned on its head in some cases as Mexican airlines get smarter with marketing and their competition.
Increased competition caused both buses and carriers to reima
