ASHEVILLE N.C. — The North Carolina Department of Transportation will resume intercity bus service in downtown Asheville on August 1, marking the end of a nearly year-long suspension that began when Hurricane Helene devastated the region in late 2024.
Service Returns to Downtown Location
The restored service, operated by Greyhound under contract with NCDOT’s Integrated Mobility Division, will utilize a new pickup and drop-off location on Ashland Avenue outside the downtown Asheville Rides Transit (ART) Transit Station. This represents a significant improvement from the previous location at a gas station outside the city, which was destroyed during the hurricane.
The new arrangement comes after months of coordination between NCDOT’s Integrated Mobility Division and city officials in Asheville.
State Officials Emphasize Transportation Access
“Restoring service to Asheville has been a top priority,” said Brennon Fuqua, director of NCDOT’s Integrated Mobility 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. Access to transportation is access to opportunity.”
The state agency provides federal and state funding for the intercity bus service while Greyhound operates as the contract provider. NCDOT oversees a statewide intercity bus program that connects both urban and rural destinations across North Carolina.
Enhanced Route Network and Connections
Travelers will have access to daily direct service connecting Asheville with major North Carolina cities including Charlotte, Winston-Salem, Greensboro, Chapel Hill, and Raleigh. The service also provides connections to out-of-state destinations through the national intercity bus network, including Richmond and Norfolk, Virginia; Washington, D.C.; New York; Atlanta; and Greenville, South Carolina.
The restored service features improved daytime-friendly schedules, faster transfers, and easier connections to regional transit systems.
Industry Partnership Highlights Regional Impact
Rodney Surber, Chief Operating Officer of Greyhound — the largest provider of intercity bus services in the United States — emphasized the service’s importance to the community.
“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 across North Carolina and beyond,” Surber said. “After nearly a year of work to restore service in Asheville, we’re proud to finally get riders moving again. We’re especially grateful to the state and local officials whose partnership made this possible.”
Local Officials Welcome Return
Christopher Whitlock, Asheville’s Transit Division manager, expressed enthusiasm about the service restoration and its connection to the city’s transit infrastructure.
“The city is excited to welcome Greyhound back to Asheville and to have them connect directly to our downtown Transit Center,” Whitlock said. “After Tropical Storm Helene disrupted Greyhound service, restoring this connection is an important step in returning regional mobility and providing our community with diverse travel options.”
How to Access Service
Passengers can book tickets and obtain additional information about Greyhound’s service by visiting Greyhound.com or using the Greyhound mobile app. More information about NCDOT’s Integrated Mobility Division Intercity Bus Service is available on the department’s website.
The service relaunch represents a major milestone in the ongoing recovery efforts for Asheville and surrounding communities affected by Hurricane Helene.
