Big Bus, Twin America Collude to Limit NYC Tour Competition

New York – The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) has secured over $2.5 million from Big Bus Tours Limited and Twin America, LLC for colluding to limit competition in New York City’s hop-on/hop-off bus tour market.

Attorney General Letitia James’ investigation revealed that both companies engaged in illegal agreements, with Twin America halting its own bus operations in return for high ticket resale commissions from Big Bus. Such collusion stifled innovation and quality of service.

Under the settlements, Big Bus will pay $2 million and Twin America $500,000, plus 30% of proceeds from any sale of Twin America stock or assets up to $900,000. Both companies must cease anticompetitive agreements and notify OAG of future bus tour operator acquisitions.

The penalties follow James’ recent victories against Intermountain for anti-competitive ski resort practices, the NCAA’s anticompetitive rules, and no-poach agreements in the building services industry.

Assistant Attorneys General James Yoon and Michael D. Schwartz led this investigation under Bureau Chief Elinor R. Hoffmann and Deputy Bureau Chief Amy McFarlane’s supervision.