United States investigation of FlixBus and Greyhound Lines

What this case is about

This is an active U.S. Department of Justice investigation into FlixBus, Inc. and Greyhound Lines, Inc. — two of the largest intercity bus carriers in the United States. FlixBus acquired Greyhound in 2021, consolidating the brands under a single corporate parent. Intercity buses are covered by the ADA AND by Department of Transportation regulations at 49 C.F.R. Part 37 (Over-the-Road Bus Accessibility), which is a more demanding framework than Title III alone. The regulations require wheelchair lifts on every bus, 48-hour-advance reservation for accessible service, accessible reservation systems (phone and online), and trained drivers who can operate the lift and secure mobility devices. DOJ is investigating allegations that FlixBus and Greyhound systemically fail to comply: wheelchair lifts that aren't maintained or operable; drivers who refuse to deploy the lift; reservation systems that don't let wheelchair users actually reserve accessible service; passengers left stranded at terminals when the lift doesn't work or the bus that arrives isn't the promised accessible bus. The investigation is in active phase — not yet resolved by consent decree or litigation. Riders who've experienced these barriers should report.

Who may qualify

The investigation focuses on intercity bus riders with mobility, sensory, or other disabilities who use FlixBus or Greyhound. You can support the investigation by sharing your experience if: - You have a disability that affects travel — wheelchair use, mobility impairment, sensory disability, etc. - You tried to take a FlixBus or Greyhound trip (or wanted to) in the past 2-3 years. - You experienced barriers: the wheelchair lift didn't work or the driver refused to deploy it; you couldn't reserve accessible service; you were stranded at a terminal; you were charged extra for accessibility; or you experienced discrimination from drivers or staff. This is investigation, not litigation.

What helps your case

Documentation: trip records (origin, destination, date, ticket/reservation confirmation); driver identification and bus identification (vehicle number); description of accommodation requested and response; photographic evidence of inoperable lift or inaccessible terminal facilities; communications with carrier customer service; FMCSA complaint records if filed; alternative-transportation expenses incurred as result of carrier failure.

How to document what happened

Pre-travel: secure documented 48-hour advance reservation for accessible service per 49 C.F.R. § 37.209; preserve all confirmation records. Field: bus identification (vehicle number, if visible), driver identification, contemporaneous photographic capture of lift mechanism and terminal facilities, written accommodation requests (where possible). Post-travel: file parallel complaints (DOJ + FMCSA + state AG); document alternative-transportation expenses for compensatory-damages support; coordinate with disability-rights counsel for systemic pattern documentation.

What if you don’t have documentation?

Reports may proceed without contemporaneous records. DOJ has independent subpoena authority; FMCSA may compel carrier records production. Reporting channels: DOJ Civil Rights Division (ADA.gov); FMCSA enforcement (1-800-FORCE-1); state AG civil-rights divisions; private disability-rights counsel (DRA, NDRN).

What this case doesn’t cover

Outside scope: other intercity bus carriers (separate Title III/DOT enforcement); local fixed-route transit (Title II framework); paratransit (49 C.F.R. § 37.121); charter/tour bus operators (different regulatory framework); Amtrak (separate enforcement context); airlines (ACAA framework, not ADA).

Legal theory

ADA Title III + 49 CFR Part 37 (over-the-road bus)

Named defendants

• FlixBus, Inc.
• Greyhound Lines, Inc.

Case facts

Type

Enforcement action

Affected states

Nationwide

Court

U.S. Department of Justice investigation (no court filed yet)

Who to contact

Nobody is running an intake for this one. You can still report what happened.

• Government agency

  U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division

  Takes complaints about intercity bus operators. The Department of Transportation and the Federal Transit Administration also handle transportation access.

  Phone 800-514-0301

  TTY 833-610-1264

  civilrights.justice.gov/report

  Filing a complaint is not the same as having a lawyer, and it does not pause any legal deadlines. If you may want to bring a case, talk to an attorney about your dates as well as filing.

  Every state has one. They are free, they take intake directly, and unlike a federal agency they can represent you. Find yours

Key dates

Status

Active investigation; no consent decree or litigation yet

Resolution path

Voluntary settlement or DOJ enforcement; FMCSA administrative action also possible

Investigation opened

Active as of 2025

FlixBus acquired Greyhound

2021