Press Releases

U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright (PA-08) today called on Greyhound Lines, Inc. to limit its bus service between Northeastern Pennsylvania and New York City to individuals traveling for essential purposes only, as there has been a significant, sustained rise in COVID-19 cases in both areas.

“My district in Northeastern Pennsylvania is the closest Pennsylvania congressional district to greater New York City,” Rep. Cartwright writes in the letter. “I write at this time to ask you to limit your passengers from greater New York City to Pennsylvania to only those engaging in essential travel (i.e. following CDC guidance), and that you only allow passengers on buses to Pennsylvania from greater New York City who are not exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms. At present, every county in my congressional district is under a “shelter in place” order from Pennsylvania’s governor due to the outbreak.

“I do realize that Greyhound buses serve as the only or best means of travel for some essential travelers,” Cartwright continues. “But, as COVID-19 continues to spread across the country, I think it is temporarily imperative to do everything in our power to slow that spread, especially from areas of a higher rate of infection to areas of lower rates. Hospitals will need this lessening effect to be realized in order to keep up with the numbers of critically ill patients who need emergency treatment.”

Cartwright also notes in the letter that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have previously issued an advisory that residents of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut limit their travel to only essential travel, including but not limited to travel related to commercial trucking, public health professionals, financial services and food supply.

The full text of the letter is below. A digital copy can be accessed by clicking here.

Mr. Dave Leach, President and CEO
Greyhound Lines, Inc.
P.O. Box 660362
Dallas, TX 75266

Dear Mr. Leach,

As you are aware, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have issued an advisory that residents of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut limit their travel to only essential travel, including but not limited to travel related to commercial trucking, public health professionals, financial services, and food supply.

My district in Northeastern Pennsylvania is the closest Pennsylvania congressional district to greater New York City.  I write at this time to ask you to limit your passengers from greater New York City to Pennsylvania to only those engaging in essential travel (i.e. following CDC guidance), and that you only allow passengers on buses to Pennsylvania from greater New York City who are not exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms.  At present, every county in my congressional district is under a “shelter in place” order from Pennsylvania’s governor due to the outbreak.

I do realize that Greyhound buses serve as the only or best means of travel for some essential travelers.  But, as COVID-19 continues to spread across the country, I think it is temporarily imperative to do everything in our power to slow that spread, especially from areas of a higher rate of infection to areas of lower rates.  Hospitals will need this lessening effect to be realized in order to keep up with the numbers of critically ill patients who need emergency treatment.

I also understand the challenges facing all businesses as a result of the economic and financial fallout associated with this pandemic and the measures to stem its advance.  I look forward to working with bus carriers and other entities within the transportation sector regarding making it through this difficult time and getting our country moving again when the time for that comes.

I thank you in advance for your attention to this matter. I appreciate the service that Greyhound provides my district, and I hope you are willing to adopt these additional precautions.