New Permit Could Tame Lawless Chinatown Buses

"A thriving business has developed over the last few years that delivers super low-cost express bus transportation between cities like Washington D.C. and New York City, for as low as $1 (see picture above), but with fares typically running more like $26 round-trip on Megabus, $55 round-trip on DC 2 NY, and $35 round-trip on Chinatown Bus for travel in February."

"So what's the problem? The buses are clean, convenient, affordable, on time, and offer free wireless service, and the intense competition between many rival companies keeps it that way. Well, there really is no problem; that is, unless you're a politician and can't fathom the idea that a market can exist without some kind of government regulation and oversight, i.e. no appreciation at all of "spontaneous order."

Worried that there is a "chaotic lack of rules" that could put travelers "at risk," New York lawmakers have introduced legislation to tame a "lawless bus industry that has left Chinatown like the 'Wild West'."
It is astonishing that this has been going on for so many years and their solution is regulation and fees.

Here we have a thriving business cleaning the forever losing subsidized Amtrak's clock with service and fare price so instead of finding parking space for them they want to regulate them and charge them money to operate. I think they should be treated the same way a delivery truck is with designated drop off and pickup areas. Regulation, fees, permits and oversight is going to limit new competition among bus companies resulting in raised fares.

I guess the going solution to getting the buses off the road and competing with services is high speed rail. I have my doubts that it will be a government run public transportation system that actually makes a profit.