PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reported that several Pennsylvania colleges, including the University of Pittsburgh (Pitt), Indiana University of Pennsylvania and Clarion University, are offering holiday charter bus service to regional destinations for their students that is thriving.

Over the Thanksgiving weekend, about 2,000 Pitt students rode buses home for the holidays to 12 locations — seven Pennsylvania towns, three cities in New York state, Washington, D.C., and Maryland — through service contracted with Mt. Nebo-based Lenzner Coach Lines, which is owned by Paramus, N.J.-based Coach USA.

The post-recession economy, rising cost of gas and decline in the number of young people who own cars have contributed to an increase in demand for charter and commercial bus service during the holidays. For the full story, click here.