Flixbus Discussion

[markymark2000]

Presumably there's a similar issue at Meadowhall (I've caught a coach there at 0330, which was fun to get to).

Meadowhall has trams and trains, Monday-Saturday, between 05:40 and 00:10ish (this is for both arriving and leaving Meadowhall). I find only a handful of services which fall into this time period. Of which some passengers could only get to or from the coach (not both) by public transport.

Leicester Fosse Park however, the public transport operational hours are much shorter. The 104 Monday to Friday, buses leave from Fosse Park 06:40-22:11. Saturdays 07:40-22:11. Buses arrive at Fosse Park between 07:00-23:10 Mon-Fri and 07:40-23:10 Saturdays.


If you arrive at most towns/cities these days at 03:30, there will be no transport. Even in some areas with night buses, the night buses can finish at 3am. I think that the only thing Leicester Fosse Park offers at silly hours over Meadowhall is Fosse Park Asda and McDonalds are 24hrs. Meadowhall has nothing. Even the petrol station closes (According to google maps).

Fosse Park does get around a dozen Flixbus services a day to/from London - I can't see anyone running that many from central Leicester.

National Express runs an hourly service from Leicester St Margaret's to London. Every single one has a different stopping pattern though with some calling at Milton Keynes Coachway, some serve Golders Green, some Finchley Roa,d some Baker Street, some Marble Arch. Some trips start at/continue to Derby and Loughborough.

 

[Marty82]

Aberdeen stop moving in New Year.

The FlixBus service which launched in the north-east earlier this year is moving to Aberdeen bus station.

The German bus company introduced the Aberdeen to Glasgow route on August 8 with introductory prices as low as 99p.

Since then, buses have run seven days a week leaving from Littlejohn Street in the city centre.

The service is now relocating to Aberdeen bus station, at Union Square, where buses will start departing from Tuesday, January 3.

The new base has the benefit of providing passengers with shelter and seating before they board the bus.

https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/f...enshire/5194423/flixbus-aberdeen-bus-station/

 

[route101]

Aberdeen stop moving in New Year.



https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/f...enshire/5194423/flixbus-aberdeen-bus-station/

Good news. How is the service doing?

 

[Marty82]

Good news. How is the service doing?

I'm afraid I've no idea.

The move may either mean it's too busy for the current on street stop so needs a bus station stand or the opposite in that it needs the better location of the bus station to drive uptake.

Passengers who currently use Scottish Citylink, Megabus and National Express will also see Flixbus coaches at the bus station so will be a bit of advertising for them. It will of course cost them more than an on street stop as they'll have to pay Stagecoach a fee as they operate the bus station.

Anyway it should shave about five minutes off journey time as it won't have to weave through the city centre.

 

[Volvodart]

The overall journey time is increasing by 10 minutes when they use the bus station next month for some reason.

 

[WizCastro197]

I went to Fosse Park bus station today, and I must admit, in terms of services, it isn’t as bad as I originally thought. A few Flixbus services that stop at Fosse Park do come from Leeds/Bradford so there must be another reason not to trek into central Leicester. The only criticism I have is lack of basic facilities for a bus station, eg. FlixBus services are poorly signposted that they serve the stop and a basic shelter seems to much to ask for especially when it rains, like today.

 

[markymark2000]

I'm afraid I've no idea.

The move may either mean it's too busy for the current on street stop so needs a bus station stand or the opposite in that it needs the better location of the bus station to drive uptake.

Passengers who currently use Scottish Citylink, Megabus and National Express will also see Flixbus coaches at the bus station so will be a bit of advertising for them. It will of course cost them more than an on street stop as they'll have to pay Stagecoach a fee as they operate the bus station.

Anyway it should shave about five minutes off journey time as it won't have to weave through the city centre.

Actual bookings seem to show some busy trips, some less so. Flix doesn't have booking for the Under 22 free travel pass or concessionary bus passes so these passengers have to turn up and hope there is a seat available. I do believe that this is a popular thing to do and so the buses are much busier than the online booking suggests. While granted off topic, this is the same situation with Ember in Dundee. Low online bookings for some trips but quite busy loadings as concessionary pass holders get on.

This is one area which lets Flix down as the website is worldwide, the local pass acceptance situation isn't on their website so it's left to chance for these people as to whether they will get a seat. I do wonder what the situation is for up the route as tickets are sold online while the bus is moving. 6 spare seats at Aberdeen, 6 pass holders get on. 5 minutes after the bus leaves Aberdeen, someone goes online and buys a Dundee to Glasgow ticket. What happens in this instance?

 

[route101]

Actual bookings seem to show some busy trips, some less so. Flix doesn't have booking for the Under 22 free travel pass or concessionary bus passes so these passengers have to turn up and hope there is a seat available. I do believe that this is a popular thing to do and so the buses are much busier than the online booking suggests. While granted off topic, this is the same situation with Ember in Dundee. Low online bookings for some trips but quite busy loadings as concessionary pass holders get on.

This is one area which lets Flix down as the website is worldwide, the local pass acceptance situation isn't on their website so it's left to chance for these people as to whether they will get a seat. I do wonder what the situation is for up the route as tickets are sold online while the bus is moving. 6 spare seats at Aberdeen, 6 pass holders get on. 5 minutes after the bus leaves Aberdeen, someone goes online and buys a Dundee to Glasgow ticket. What happens in this instance?

I have only use the service only a week after it has started. I used to turn up and go on the Citylink services, though they seem to sell out more often now.

I hope to use the service again in the near future. You reckon there is room for Flixbus on the Inverness corridor?

 

[WizCastro197]

As I am fairly new to this thread, this may have been covered before, but are Flix using ex-National Express coaches? Or do both companies source buses from Whippet Coaches where one of the coaches that I have seen used by FlixBus comes from?

 

[markymark2000]

As I am fairly new to this thread, this may have been covered before, but are Flix using ex-National Express coaches? Or do both companies source buses from Whippet Coaches where one of the coaches that I have seen used by FlixBus comes from?

Whippets were a NatEx operator but then they stopped doing NatEx to join Flix. As they already owned these vehicles, they kept using them and just rebranded them for Flix. I believe that these are due for replacement at some point within the next year or so.

Other operators that Flixbus use do not use these Levantes normally. Most operators use other vehicles.

 

[GusB]

McGill's are set to add a further eighteen vehicles to their Flixbus fleet:

FlixBus reveals growth plans with McGill’s - Bus & Coach Buyer

FlixBus is unveiling UK growth plans in partnership with the UK’s biggest independent bus operator, McGill’s Buses. McGill’s has confirmed it will be placing 18 new vehicles exclusively on the FlixBus network in 2023, in addition to its current fleet of seven. The coaches will be Volvos and...

www.busandcoachbuyer.com

FlixBus is unveiling UK growth plans in partnership with the UK’s biggest independent bus operator, McGill’s Buses.

McGill’s has confirmed it will be placing 18 new vehicles exclusively on the FlixBus network in 2023, in addition to its current fleet of seven.

The partnership between McGill’s and FlixBus began in 2021, fuelled by a joint ambition to disrupt the coach market. Since forming the partnership, new lines have been added and frequencies of cross-border routes have been increased to keep up with consumer demand.

“Partnering with McGill’s has played a huge role in our development in the UK market” – Andreas Schorling, Managing Director of FlixBus UK

Andreas Schorling, Managing Director of FlixBus UK, said: “Partnering with McGill’s has played a huge role in our development in the UK market. We have built a dynamic relationship which allows us both to deliver exceptional coach services and expand our sustainable, affordable and reliable network, together.”

FlixBus has outperformed its forecasted UK figures this year, almost doubling passengers (94% increase) carried between April and September, compared to the same period in 2021. The travel tech brand also celebrated its one millionth UK customer this summer, now reaching over 40 destinations across the country.

Andreas continued: “The success of Flix both in the UK, and globally, cannot be overstated. Our strategy and business model have not only proved to be resilient to fluctuating uncertainty of the last two years, but in fact has delivered unprecedented levels of demand as travel returns to normal. We have high targets to reach next year, and are confident we will achieve our goals.”

“Since the very beginning, FlixBus has been a true partner” – McGill’s CEO, and President of CPT, Ralph Roberts

McGill’s CEO, and President of CPT, Ralph Roberts, said: “Since the very beginning, FlixBus has been a true partner, and we have jointly built the network together because we have a relationship based on trust. We are delighted to be expanding the number of vehicles on FlixBus routes because we firmly believe they are the future of green, long-distance coach travel.”

The routes for the new vehicles will be unveiled later in 2023.

 

[overthewater]

It's odd. Will there be enough passengers to cover all 3 coach companies?

 

[M803UYA]

It's odd. Will there be enough passengers to cover all 3 coach companies?

It's an interesting question - I think we can assume it won't be Flixbus exiting the market.

 

[Scott mac]

Heard that they are looking at the glasgow to Edinburgh route

 

[overthewater]

Heard that they are looking at the glasgow to Edinburgh route

That might help solve the big queues at Glasgow then?

 

[WizCastro197]

Heard that they are looking at the glasgow to Edinburgh route

Do you think this would be part of a longer route towards Victoria, or some other destination south?

They already operate between these cites: Flixbus is running 2 services from Edinburgh to Glasgow tomorrow from £1.99, if anyone is interested.

 

[Jordan Adam]

It's odd. Will there be enough passengers to cover all 3 coach companies?

My question is more where do they expect to get the drivers from? Surely more Flixbus work means more drivers required at Dundee and potentially Livingston?

 

[Robertj21a]

My question is more where do they expect to get the drivers from? Surely more Flixbus work means more drivers required at Dundee and potentially Livingston?

Presumably, like other operators, they pay more to attract new drivers from other companies.

 

[JonathanH]

It's an interesting question - I think we can assume it won't be Flixbus exiting the market.

Why? What inroads are they making on any other market they are active in within the British Isles?

Blind faith that they will clean up on Edinburgh to Glasgow isn't a foregone conclusion.

 

[johncrossley]

I presume the coach market is quite buoyant at the moment because of the train chaos. So three coach firms may be sustainable for now.

 

[Starmill]

Why? What inroads are they making on any other market they are active in within the British Isles?

Blind faith that they will clean up on Edinburgh to Glasgow isn't a foregone conclusion.

I think that the post was referring to the general agenda of expansion, and not specifically something to do with Edinburgh - Glasgow? Flixbus have also demonstrated a willingness to speculate and see what performs well, while also being happy to abandon something if it doesn't.

Edinburgh - Glasgow will be a far tougher nut to crack than most of their other markets because it already has a very frequent express bus service, and because the train service has recently been speeded up significantly.

I presume the coach market is quite buoyant at the moment because of the train chaos. So three coach firms may be sustainable for now.

The serious issues, especially on Avanti West Coast and TransPennine Express, are absolutely playing an important role. Also there's a good one-off benefit to the coach companies every time a strike day takes place.

 

[JonathanH]

Flixbus have also demonstrated a willingness to speculate and see what performs well, while also being happy to abandon something if it doesn't.

I'd call it cherry picking - eg running services Friday to Monday rather than all week on a number of routes.

 

[Starmill]

I'd call it cherry picking - eg running services Friday to Monday rather than all week on a number of routes.

Fundamentally this kind of "cherry picking" to some degree is the only way to operate commercially under the current market structure though isn't it? Otherwise how would you ever turn a profit? I don't see running long-distance bus services being something that the charity sector are or should be interested in, and, in England at least, there is basically no public funding for it. Given those conditions, what else is realistic? Some towns and cities for example are served only when Glastonbury is on, and only to and from the Glastonbury Festival bus interchange. Is that also "cherry picking"?

 

[JonathanH]

Fundamentally this kind of "cherry picking" to some degree is the only way to operate commercially under the current market structure though isn't it? Otherwise how would you ever turn a profit?

Indeed, I agree with you.

What I don't think is obvious is the idea that Flixbus are going to leap from "cherry picking" to being the dominant operator, which seems to be the expectation often expressed.

 

[Starmill]

Indeed, I agree with you.

What I don't think is obvious is the idea that Flixbus are going to leap from "cherry picking" to being the dominant operator, which seems to be the expectation often expressed.

I don't think that's realistic either, or if it is not for a long time. National Express are better reputed and have more pricing power and better economies of scale in their business. However, Flixbus and Megabus may yet be able to substantially grow the market, or possibly long term one will defeat the other and either buy it or expunge it.

 

[GusB]

If Flixbus is preparing to take on the Edinburgh to Glasgow market, it'd better be prepared for a fight. Also, let's not forget that this is only hearsay at the moment.

 

[WizCastro197]

If Flixbus is preparing to take on the Edinburgh to Glasgow market, it'd better be prepared for a fight. Also, let's not forget that this is only hearsay at the moment.

Trainline’s average time, from Edinburgh to Glasgow is 1h6m. And their average price they’ve have somehow calculated, is £5.30. Flixbus’ coaches tomorrow say they’ll do Edinburgh to Glasgow in 1h10 for £1.99, there is only 2 coaches however. I wonder if they’ll consider raising prices, if they start operating between the cities hourly/regularly.

 

[InOban]

That average time by train includes the slow routes via Shotts or Bathgate, The direct trains, every 15 minutes at peak times, otherwise every 30, take around 50 minutes.

 

[M803UYA]

Indeed, I agree with you.

What I don't think is obvious is the idea that Flixbus are going to leap from "cherry picking" to being the dominant operator, which seems to be the expectation often expressed.

Flixbus are quite content to play a very long game to achieve market dominance in the UK. They've done the same in mainland Europe and the USA through the same business model.

I do think there'll be consolidation within the UK coach market as a result of the competition - but I doubt very much it'll be Flixbus exiting this market. Far more likely we will see the exit of someone else from the market - either through acquisition or walking away.

 

[WelshBluebird]

Fundamentally this kind of "cherry picking" to some degree is the only way to operate commercially under the current market structure though isn't it? Otherwise how would you ever turn a profit? I don't see running long-distance bus services being something that the charity sector are or should be interested in, and, in England at least, there is basically no public funding for it. Given those conditions, what else is realistic? Some towns and cities for example are served only when Glastonbury is on, and only to and from the Glastonbury Festival bus interchange. Is that also "cherry picking"?

I guess the issue is, if this "cherry picking" ends up causing a large shift in passengers from competitors who have a more filled out timetable, then there is the potential for that competitor to cut services or pull out entirely. Whilst you may say that would just be the market choosing the winner, I'd be hesitant to say places ending up with a worse timetable than now is a good thing!