A number of aspects of intercity bus service in the Saratov region are considered. Based on the duration and cost of the bus ride from the regional center to the municipal centers, economic distances within the region are estimated. It is concluded that there are significant differences in the permeability of the economic space. The coefficient of curvature of the communication is calculated for the cities of the region. The question of potential labor migration from the regional centers to Saratov is also raised.