As a highly subsidized extension of municipal bus systems, express bus services are not open to private investment or subject to operation as profitable enterprise. Privately owned and operated tour and inter city bus systems are entirely separate entities from municipal public bus services. Private investment and business opportunities associated with express bus services are limited to advertising and bus station franchises, but the changeable nature of express bus routes and services do not present sufficiently stable volumes of riders to support such transit related businesses.
Attempts to link street level commercial space in new developments near transit stations by means of land use, zoning and other development requirements are not supported by bus stops, unless the bus facilities are part of multi-modal station complexes. Express bus services do not maintain consistent daily schedules or volumes sufficient to support regular business of any type, but may add exposure and clientele to larger transportation centers and environments.
Privately operated long haul, excursion and recreational bus services may be supported by buses and express bus services that can deliver riders to boarding locations of private bus companies. Wherever public and private bus stations and routes can be coordinated, private bus operators can receive significant transfer of riders between systems. However, privately operated coach services tend to be of higher quality, and offer more recreational and scenic travel services to their private patrons.
