Among them were a series of federal deregulations of the transportation industry in the 1970s and 80's and an increase in competition from Greyhound's main competitor Trailways as well as from smaller newer market entries.
Like the Federal Bus Regulatory Reform Act of 1982, this law allowed airlines greater control over its operations and increased the market ease of entry for entrepreneurs.
[4] Shortly following the enactment of the new law, the Interstate Commerce Commission received over 2000 applications to operate new bus services.
[5] In 1982, the Amalgamated Transit Union agreed to a wage freeze of its members working for Trailways Bus Lines.
With lower labor costs, Trailways was able to better compete, and over the course of the next months ridership fell considerably for Greyhound Bus Lines.
At the same time, Greyhound was losing business to small new market entries such as Rohrer Bus Lines on the East Coast.
[7] Greyhound Bus Lines sent a letter to the union telling workers it must decide whether or not they would be returning to work by Monday November 14, or else they would be replaced by new hires.
[8] Greyhound Bus lines announced half price fares would be in effect between November 17 and December 15.
Strike negotiations remained at an impasse with Greyhound rejecting a 3 year pay freeze offered by the ATU.
[9] A day after the return to work deadline, a picketer was struck by a vehicle being driven by a non-striking Greyhound mechanic.
On December 3, 1983, Union leaders and Greyhound Bus Lines reached a tentative agreement to end the strike.