The American Bus Association,
whose members include the motorcoach companies chartered by cruise lines and
tour operators, estimates the industry will lose as much as $8 billion due to a halt in travel and new
restrictions related to the Covid-19 coronavirus.

Citing a review prepared for the association by John Dunham
& Associates, the group said nearly 100% of the charter and tour
market has stopped operating. The virtual shutdown comes during one of the busiest
periods for chartered coaches.

In addition, the ABA said that scheduled services are down more than 50% and continue to
drop. 

“These declines are a direct result of the White House and
health officials directing Americans to reduce or eliminate nonessential
travel,” the group said in a statement. “Further, the commuter market, which
connects workers to larger urban centers is down more than 60% as of
March 16 and continues to drop as employees stop coming into their offices.”

The group said the immediate loss of business to the
motorcoach and private bus industry is estimated near $4 billion through early
June.

If the situation lasts through April, as suggested by
President Trump on Monday, those losses could double to $8 billion.

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