Birmingham Travelers Left Stranded as Hurricane Helene Causes Greyhound Disruptions
Birmingham, Ala. — A number of travelers found themselves stranded at the Greyhound bus station in Birmingham this past Thursday, as bus services were suspended due to the impacts of Hurricane Helene. Frustration is running high among those affected, many of whom now face a long wait for a resolution.
Cancellations Lead to Frustration
According to reports, dozens of people were left in limbo after their scheduled trips were cancelled. Some of these travelers have voiced their displeasure at the lack of communication and support from Greyhound. Mark Baudoin, a Greyhound traveler from Oregon, shared his feelings of disrespect over the absence of contingency plans for severe weather situations. “They are not paying for our meals, they are not offering us a chance to get a hotel. They are just telling us to get an Uber and do it on our own. Some of us just don’t have the means to do that. I’m flying low on the radar right now, and I don’t have the money to do anything but sit and wait,” he stated.
Baudoin emphasized that it is unacceptable to leave travelers without options, especially during difficult situations like a hurricane. His sentiments were echoed by others at the station.
Communication Breakdown
Another traveler, Pauline Whitmire, expressed her frustration regarding the lack of updates from Greyhound about their travel status. The pregnant mother said, “They have not really given us any updates at all about what is going on or when we are really going to be getting to where our destination is.” This sentiment of poor communication was common among those gathered at the bus station.
Marilynn Toaster, another traveler, further conveyed the group’s dissatisfaction. “I mean, this has happened to us, and it didn’t happen to you, but at the same time, you could be here to provide just some support if nothing else,” she remarked, suggesting that even a single representative from Greyhound could make a significant difference.
Greyhound’s Response
In response to the situation, a spokesperson from Greyhound issued a statement emphasizing the importance of safety in light of the ongoing impacts of Hurricane Helene. They informed customers that “bus schedules across the Southeastern United States – and network-wide – are subject to ongoing changes, cancellations, and delays.” They expressed gratitude for the customers’ patience and understanding during this challenging time.
The spokesperson noted that customers do not need to remain at the Greyhound premises while waiting for service to resume, but that they are welcome to use available facilities and amenities if they choose to. However, they also pointed out the constraints the company faces, indicating that it is not feasible to accommodate individuals who are not traveling with Greyhound or have not purchased tickets.
Community Support
In light of the struggles faced by those stranded, local charitable organizations stepped in to provide assistance. The Jimmie Hale Mission responded quickly to the situation by bringing meals and blankets to the stranded passengers to help them stay warm while they waited for further updates about their travel plans.
The Road Ahead
Currently, travelers have been informed that bus service is not expected to start running until 6 a.m. Saturday, leaving many to wonder about their next steps. As the community continues to come together for these stranded passengers, the hope remains that solutions can be found amid the unpredictable circumstances brought on by Hurricane Helene.
