The owner of bus companies that link Lancaster and Ephrata to New York, Atlantic City and other destinations filed for bankruptcy reorganization Tuesday.

BBW Enterprises, parent company of Capitol Trailways and Rohrer Tour & Charter, blamed soaring fuel costs for the action.

"It was the driving force behind this. They have been raising fares as permitted, but there's a limit on how far you can go with that, or sales will drop," said BBW attorney Robert Chernicoff.

However, the bus companies will continue to provide the same service for the time being and retain their work forces, which total more than 100 employees, according to Chernicoff.

"The companies are trying to keep business as usual," he said.

Under bankruptcy reorganization, a company continues to operate while preparing a plan to repay some of its debts and restructure its businesses.

"We'll do the usual economies and see what we can save. We're also looking for buyers," Chernicoff said.

Although an agreement last summer to sell BBW to Bieber Tourways of Kutztown fell through, that firm remains among the possible suitors, he said.

Harrisburg-based BBW filed its bankruptcy petition in Harrisburg bankruptcy court.

Its filing shows BBW has fewer than 50 creditors, assets between $1,000,001 and $10 million, and liabilities between $1,000,001 and $10 million. Exact figures will be filed with the court later.

BBW's Capitol Trailways provides daily service between Lancaster, Ephrata, Harrisburg, York, King of Prussia, Willow Grove and New York. BBW's Rohrer Tour links Lancaster and Ephrata to Atlantic City twice weekly and Philadelphia Park in Bensalem monthly.