Flixbus Discussion

[route101]

I gave Flixbus’ new UK045 Plymouth-London service a go on Saturday 7th May for a daytrip to Reading. An appropriately liveried VanHool thing with registration plate BR21 OCV (photo attached) turned up to Plymouth coach station presumably from Milehouse 16 minutes past the timetabled departure time with a Roselyn driver at the helm and left about 25 late after checking all 10 of us were in our assigned seats. Roselyn driver then took the coach as far as Taunton where a Berry’s driver was waiting in a van to take over to and from London. On the return journey the coach left London Victoria 37 minutes late arriving at Reading 55 minutes late due to a weekend closure between J6&8 on the M4. The same Roselyn driver then took back the coach at Taunton and we arrived back in Plymouth 30 late. It would appear this service has a habit of running late from the start! I shall be using the service again on the 16th and 19th due to 99p fares being available for both days and shall be interested to see if punctuality improves.

How was your more recent experiences?

Have Flixbus dropped the Scottish services? None are showing on the website to book.

 

[markymark2000]

Have Flixbus dropped the Scottish services? None are showing on the website to book.

All showing up as far as I can see. What date are you looking for?

 

[route101]

All showing up as far as I can see. What date are you looking for?

Must have been a glitch on the website or on edge. I managed to get it booked via my phone.

 

[Deerfold]

I really don't know how Flixbus expect people to find out about their services. There doesn't seem to be any way to find their schedules other than randomly trying on their booking system - though you can look up what's due at a given stop for the next couple of hours (though it gives a reference number which you then have to click on to find out where it's actually going.

 

[johncrossley]

I really don't know how Flixbus expect people to find out about their services. There doesn't seem to be any way to find their schedules other than randomly trying on their booking system - though you can look up what's due at a given stop for the next couple of hours (though it gives a reference number which you then have to click on to find out where it's actually going.

The German website did used to contain a long list of schedules but that went away some years ago. Flixbus probably rely on word of mouth, social media and internet searches. It's no different to airlines really. They don't publish timetables nowadays and they seem to get bums on seats. How would you know Ryanair fly from Stansted to Klagenfurt?

 

[route101]

The German website did used to contain a long list of schedules but that went away some years ago. Flixbus probably rely on word of mouth, social media and internet searches. It's no different to airlines really. They don't publish timetables nowadays and they seem to get bums on seats. How would you know Ryanair fly from Stansted to Klagenfurt?

I really don't know how Flixbus expect people to find out about their services. There doesn't seem to be any way to find their schedules other than randomly trying on their booking system - though you can look up what's due at a given stop for the next couple of hours (though it gives a reference number which you then have to click on to find out where it's actually going.

A lot of websites have gone over to the journey planner route. For a lot of People only want to know how to get between A and B

 

[markymark2000]

A lot of websites have gone over to the journey planner route. For a lot of People only want to know how to get between A and B

That's all well and good if Flixbus kept their map upto date. Still missing Plymouth from the map and Newport (which is due to start tomorrow)

 

[route101]

I'm on the daytime Flixbus from Glasgow to London next week. McGills Merc Tourismo

 

[Deerfold]

A lot of websites have gone over to the journey planner route. For a lot of People only want to know how to get between A and B

Which is fine if you know A and B are served by them on a direct service.

It's no different to airlines really. They don't publish timetables nowadays and they seem to get bums on seats. How would you know Ryanair fly from Stansted to Klagenfurt?

When flying, I use a site that looks at all the airlines and tells me which do what I'm asking. I can also set it to look for flights to and from nearby airports to the one I want. Flights with connections show up, too.

In the absence of anything like this for coaches, it'll take a long time for a new route to get passengers.

 

[markymark2000]

Which is fine if you know A and B are served by them on a direct service.


When flying, I use a site that looks at all the airlines and tells me which do what I'm asking. I can also set it to look for flights to and from nearby airports the one I want. Flights with connections show up, too.

In the absence of anything like this for coaches, it'll take a long time for a new route to get passengers.

In fairness, Flixbus don't have many connections and even less that people would want. Almost all Flixbus connections require going into London then coming back out which is not a change people want and most changes involve a huge like 2 hour connection which isn't ideal either. Then with the fare system being set up as it is, the connection fares aren't cheap.

 

[johncrossley]

In fairness, Flixbus don't have many connections and even less that people would want. Almost all Flixbus connections require going into London then coming back out which is not a change people want and most changes involve a huge like 2 hour connection which isn't ideal either. Then with the fare system being set up as it is, the connection fares aren't cheap.

That's generally the case for the UK domestic network, but for international journeys and journeys within Germany, in particular, connections are sometimes useful. On many routes, there is a choice of a direct service and one involving a connection and sometimes the route involving the connection is similarly priced or cheaper than the direct journey. For example, London to Antwerp next Friday there is a direct service for £33.99, or you can change at Brussels for £32.48.

 

[route101]

A few people had connected from the European services to UK flixbus services, I had noticed. Greater awareness of Flixbus on the contiment.

 

[markymark2000]

That's generally the case for the UK domestic network, but for international journeys and journeys within Germany, in particular, connections are sometimes useful. On many routes, there is a choice of a direct service and one involving a connection and sometimes the route involving the connection is similarly priced or cheaper than the direct journey. For example, London to Antwerp next Friday there is a direct service for £33.99, or you can change at Brussels for £32.48.

As Flixbus expands, there will be people wanting connections, all I am saying is in their current network, it will be difficult to get many connecting passengers. That said, if they go for more direct routes, they will run rings around NatEx and their 'hub and spoke' network which is killing through services.

A few people had connected from the European services to UK flixbus services, I had noticed. Greater awareness of Flixbus on the contiment.

I think that is partly what is fuelling things over here. People from the continent knowing of Flixbus and knowing what they do.

 

[Peter Philips]

The new Plymouth-London UK045 appears to be increasing to daily with two additional departures (total of three including a new overnight one) on certain days from the start of the school summer holidays.

 

[miklcct]

Which is fine if you know A and B are served by them on a direct service.


When flying, I use a site that looks at all the airlines and tells me which do what I'm asking. I can also set it to look for flights to and from nearby airports to the one I want. Flights with connections show up, too.

In the absence of anything like this for coaches, it'll take a long time for a new route to get passengers.

I'll take FlixBus the first time in the next month between Finchley Road and Birmingham on a day when the railway between Coventry and Birmingham is closed. It's Google Maps suggest me to take it using its public transport routing (I set my origin to my home and the destination to Birmingham University)

As long as operators publish their feeds correctly to be included in journey planners there will be no problem getting new passengers since journey planners can suggest them.

 

[route101]

Travelled by Flixbus yesterday, our service from Glasgow terminated at Finchley Road as there was a long diversion round into Victoria Coach Station. How does McGills operate this ? It does not appear the daytime 030 coach operates the night 030 service a few hours later.

Anyone know which route the flixbus service from London to Liverpool takes after Birmingham to reach Chester?

 

[Bwsbro]

Anyone know which route the flixbus service from London to Liverpool takes after Birmingham to reach Chester?

M6 direct to Lymm then down the M56 to Chester, coming in down the A51 into town. Normally the drivers check the Sat nav at Birmingham when they take over. But almost always goes up the M6

 

[route101]

M6 direct to Lymm then down the M56 to Chester, coming in down the A51 into town. Normally the drivers check the Sat nav at Birmingham when they take over. But almost always goes up the M6

I see, I was thinking they would prefer this way rather than on the A roads.

 

[markymark2000]

I see, I was thinking they would prefer this way rather than on the A roads.

A roads are normally quicker and more reliable for journey times. Pre Covid the 550 from Chester to Birmingham (which ran none stop) went that way, not via the m56 and M6.

 

[route101]

A roads are normally quicker and more reliable for journey times. Pre Covid the 550 from Chester to Birmingham (which ran none stop) went that way, not via the m56 and M6.

I see, I thought they stick to the motorway routes.

 

[markymark2000]

I see, I thought they stick to the motorway routes.

Whatever is quickest really. While the M56/M6 is motorway, the sections of motorway are notoriously quite bad for delays but also, you are heading the wrong way to then come back on yourself. The a41/M54 is always heading in the correct direction.
M56/M6 probably feels quicker as it's constant higher speed but with the delays and the fact you have to go north to then go back south (or vice versa), the A41/M54 is around the same time.

 

[route101]

McGills Tourismo 0640 - BV71HYL has joined 0638 + 0639 in Flixbus livery.
Seen arriving at Buchanan Bus Station last night,

I wonder if there is any more routes coming up on the Flixbus network for McGills.

 

[Blindtraveler]

What is the journey time like from Glasgow to London and is it better in terms of quality and passenger comfort than Megabus for example?

 

[route101]

What is the journey time like from Glasgow to London and is it better in terms of quality and passenger comfort than Megabus for example?

10 hours on day run. I would say the seats on the Volvos are quite narrow. I booked the seat next to me but not many others do on the three Flixbus services I have used.

Getting the Crayons out I would like to see a Glasgow to Bristol/Cardiff route with perhaps a stop at Preston and Birmingham. Also Glasgow - Southampton/Portsmouth.

 

[JonathanH]

Getting the Crayons out I would like to see a Glasgow to Bristol/Cardiff route with perhaps a stop at Preston and Birmingham. Also Glasgow - Southampton/Portsmouth.

If National Express feel they can't make Anglo-Scottish services pay across Birmingham - eg the former 334 and 336, I don't think Flixbus would try to enter that market.

 

[markymark2000]

If National Express feel they can't make Anglo-Scottish services pay across Birmingham - eg the former 334 and 336, I don't think Flixbus would try to enter that market.

It's not down to making it pay, it is National Express' new way of working so that they can make more money. Force everyone to change in Birmingham so then stores and facilities in Digbeth can make more money. Cheaper on drivers as more can be done single manned and without 45 min breaks in the service. More buses returning 'home' means less money spent on hotels and whatever.

Flixbus could actually benefit strongly from bringing in more links 'through' Birmingham. They seem to be very slow on the cross country stuff though and prioritising London services.

 

[JonathanH]

It's not down to making it pay, it is National Express' new way of working so that they can make more money.

Isn't that the same thing?

Force everyone to change in Birmingham so then stores and facilities in Digbeth can make more money.

That is just cynicism. There aren't that many outlets in the coach station and passengers aren't forced to use them.

Flixbus could actually benefit strongly from bringing in more links 'through' Birmingham. They seem to be very slow on the cross country stuff though and prioritising London services.

That might be a clue as to which coach routes are considered sufficiently lucrative for their interests.

 

[markymark2000]

Isn't that the same thing?

I'd say no. There is a difference between 'making routes pay' (which suggests they are loss making) and 'making more money' (which doesn't mean something is loss making in the first place)

That is just cynicism. There aren't that many outlets in the coach station and passengers aren't forced to use them.

How far are people really going to get in an hour connection? While you may not be forced to sit in the coach station, realistically, you won't go far as it's only an hour and by the time you get anywhere, it will be time to return so sitting there is easiest I've had hour connections in Digbeth and I just plod over to Subway then return.

That might be a clue as to which coach routes are considered sufficiently lucrative for their interests.

All I am saying is they could benefit from expanding the links. 'Everything to London' will not work if Flixbus are going to have the largest coach network by 2025.

 

[JonathanH]

'Everything to London' will not work if Flixbus are going to have the largest coach network by 2025.

Is that really a serious proposition?

I still don't think their current operation is presented in a manner that suggests a well run operation. Both their 2359 departures from Victoria (to Bradford and Manchester) hadn't arrived when I left on the National Express 465 at 2359 last night.

Running a handful of services on primarily the same routes as National Express and Megabus doesn't give the impression of an operation that is going to become dominant.

Having said that, the splitting of the 2359 departures (with one to Manchester via Birmingham, Warrington, Liverpool and Manchester and one to Bradford via Leicester, Nottingham, Chesterfield, Sheffield and Leeds) suggests loadings are increasing although they don't run every night.

(I concede that my interest in coaches is mainly about overnight services and they may be making more inroads in daytime business.)

 

[johncrossley]

I see Flixbus having the biggest coach network in the UK by acquisition. That's what they've done in other countries.