Flixbus Discussion

[markymark2000]

I would say its not just Flixbus with lack of advertising for new services. Megabus are just as bad, and while National Express have timetables, you have to watch for any changes. I am booked on the Aberdeen Flixbus this Friday, picked it over Citylink due to price.

They are all quite bad at it which makes me more baffled as to how people are getting onboard. It is just everyone taking the attitude that 'well the trains are a mess, people will naturally find us and we don't have to do any promotion' because that's not working in all areas and hence a number of stops being cut from the end of this month and if not cut properly, their service will be useless.

One of the 023 services is still running via Leicester according to Flixbus website.

I don't know if that is a bug though as it's only one way. Same for Liverpool, I haven't given much detail on that yet as it is showing northbound via Birmingham and Chester but southbound via Warrington, Stoke and Leicester which makes no sense whatsoever.



Other changes since I posted my changes table, Edinburgh - Aberdeen will now serve Ingliston P&R instead of Edinburgh Gateway. Also the Leeds 002 has one journey each day, each way which will serve a new stop at Peterborough Queensgate Bus Station.

 

[route101]

They are all quite bad at it which makes me more baffled as to how people are getting onboard. It is just everyone taking the attitude that 'well the trains are a mess, people will naturally find us and we don't have to do any promotion' because that's not working in all areas and hence a number of stops being cut from the end of this month and if not cut properly, their service will be useless.

I don't know if that is a bug though as it's only one way. Same for Liverpool, I haven't given much detail on that yet as it is showing northbound via Birmingham and Chester but southbound via Warrington, Stoke and Leicester which makes no sense whatsoever.



Other changes since I posted my changes table, Edinburgh - Aberdeen will now serve Ingliston P&R instead of Edinburgh Gateway. Also the Leeds 002 has one journey each day, each way which will serve a new stop at Peterborough Queensgate Bus Station.

I am a bit confused with the timetable. I was going to book London to Manchester via Leicester for this Saturday but the service at 11 had disappeared, seems to operate the other way. Interesting that Peterborough is being served, only coach service to serve the place!

 

[markymark2000]

Another new Flixbus route starting from 27th April is Taunton to Newcastle. This is to be ran by Berrys of Taunton

I am a bit confused with the timetable. I was going to book London to Manchester via Leicester for this Saturday but the service at 11 had disappeared, seems to operate the other way. Interesting that Peterborough is being served, only coach service to serve the place!

I presume that trip has been cancelled this week for some reason. It is still in the system for next week.

 

[Smethwickian]

. Interesting that Peterborough is being served, only coach service to serve the place!

National Express 767 from 28 April, two journeys each way daily Nottingham - Leicester - Peterborough - Cambridge - Stansted Airport

 

[richw]

Another new Flixbus route starting from 27th April is Taunton to Newcastle. This is to be ran by Berrys of Taunton

View attachment 132493View attachment 132494


I presume that trip has been cancelled this week for some reason. It is still in the system for next week.

Berrys took delivery of one new vehicle for this service on Thursday.

Source : friend who works for Berrys via text message. He didn’t provide any more info on what the coach is etc.

 

[route101]

Another new Flixbus route starting from 27th April is Taunton to Newcastle. This is to be ran by Berrys of Taunton

View attachment 132493View attachment 132494


I presume that trip has been cancelled this week for some reason. It is still in the system for next week.

50 minute Break at Toton Lane, unlike Flixbus. Must be for drivers hours.

 

[hatt55]

Yesterday I was due to get a Flixbus coach between Reading and Bristol. I arrived at the stop approximately 15 minutes early, only to see a coach pulling away. Initially I didn't panic or rush to get out of the car as I assumed it was a different coach service - I had plenty of time before my scheduled time. It was only as the coach physically left the car park that I spotted that it was labelled as the 041 to Bristol.

Another passenger was also just arriving at the stop and saw the same thing. They managed to speak to a customer service person who wasn't able to help who I think suggested we wait. They didn't seem to have a way of tracking the coach or contacting the driver. Flixbus must be able to see that none of the passengers from Reading who had bought a ticket were scanned on to the bus.

As I needed to get back and that was the last coach of the evening, I had to go and get a train instead. This cost £33.50, which I'd like to be compensated for from Flixbus.

I intend to make a complaint and I'm just wondering what angle I should take. The bus wasn't cancelled, nor was it late - it arrived early and left early, but this scenario isn't really covered in the Flixbus T and Cs as far as I can see. With rail travel I'm relatively familiar with what my rights are if a train is delayed or cancelled etc. (and I've never had a scenario where one left early!) but with coach travel I don't know if there are equivalent standards. Any advice would be appreciated!

 

[richw]

Yesterday I was due to get a Flixbus coach between Reading and Bristol. I arrived at the stop approximately 15 minutes early, only to see a coach pulling away. Initially I didn't panic or rush to get out of the car as I assumed it was a different coach service - I had plenty of time before my scheduled time. It was only as the coach physically left the car park that I spotted that it was labelled as the 041 to Bristol.

Another passenger was also just arriving at the stop and saw the same thing. They managed to speak to a customer service person who wasn't able to help who I think suggested we wait. They didn't seem to have a way of tracking the coach or contacting the driver. Flixbus must be able to see that none of the passengers from Reading who had bought a ticket were scanned on to the bus.

As I needed to get back and that was the last coach of the evening, I had to go and get a train instead. This cost £33.50, which I'd like to be compensated for from Flixbus.

I intend to make a complaint and I'm just wondering what angle I should take. The bus wasn't cancelled, nor was it late - it arrived early and left early, but this scenario isn't really covered in the Flixbus T and Cs as far as I can see. With rail travel I'm relatively familiar with what my rights are if a train is delayed or cancelled etc. (and I've never had a scenario where one left early!) but with coach travel I don't know if there are equivalent standards. Any advice would be appreciated!

Whilst I can’t answer who to contact, their get out might be if their tickets say be at departure point a number of minutes before scheduled departure.

National express for example on their booking confirmation emails have the following paragraph.

Departure information​

Please be at your departure point, ready to board your coach at least 10 minutes prior to your departure time.

 

[Lancs]

Whilst I can’t answer who to contact, their get out might be if their tickets say be at departure point a number of minutes before scheduled departure.

National express for example on their booking confirmation emails have the following paragraph.

Flixbus say be there 15 minutes before schedule on the tickets.

 

[route101]

I used Flixbus last week from Glasgow to Aberdeen. The service was busy and was one of McGills Mercs. Was surprised to see a group and a few others get off at Stirling Castleview Park and Ride, I thought its a bit out of the way to save a few bob. I overheard someone saying they use Flixbus as its only a fiver to Dundee.

 

[hatt55]

When I wrote my original post this morning I was expecting the worst, but actually Flixbus have been quite good. They've given me me a voucher to the value of my train ticket. I was offered a refund initially but am happy to take a voucher instead. The journey from Bristol to Reading was pretty good and it is significantly cheaper than any other transport I can get, so I'm willing to try and again and just hope that yesterday was a one off.

I did arrive almost exactly 15 minutes before the scheduled departure time, but did so thinking I was being particularly cautious rather than because I thought there was a chance that the bus would leave that soon. If I hadn't actually seen it leaving then I could have waited at the stop for ages assuming it was just late. One of my general frustrations with coach stops - at least the ones I use - are that you can't tell if they've been and gone yet.

 

[Stan Drews]

When I wrote my original post this morning I was expecting the worst, but actually Flixbus have been quite good. They've given me me a voucher to the value of my train ticket. I was offered a refund initially but am happy to take a voucher instead. The journey from Bristol to Reading was pretty good and it is significantly cheaper than any other transport I can get, so I'm willing to try and again and just hope that yesterday was a one off.

I did arrive almost exactly 15 minutes before the scheduled departure time, but did so thinking I was being particularly cautious rather than because I thought there was a chance that the bus would leave that soon. If I hadn't actually seen it leaving then I could have waited at the stop for ages assuming it was just late. One of my general frustrations with coach stops - at least the ones I use - are that you can't tell if they've been and gone yet.

I think you might be able to track your bus on the FlixBus app?

 

[Jordan Adam]

I used Flixbus for the first time today. I was very impressed with the customer service aspect; the driver was very friendly and talkative to passengers informing them that the Air-conditioning had been turned on and that a beeping from the cab due to the locker doors being open would stop once we got going. The vehicle itself (McGill's / Xplore Dundee Mercedes Tourismo 0639 BV71HYL) was well presented and very tidy inside and the seats being adjustable sideways is a massive pro on a service like this. The only two downsides I have are that the seats themselves are too firm and legroom is poor; while this is okay for going Aberdeen to Dundee, I wouldn't want to go Glasgow to London on the same vehicle for example.

 

[route101]

I used Flixbus for the first time today. I was very impressed with the customer service aspect; the driver was very friendly and talkative to passengers informing them that the Air-conditioning had been turned on and that a beeping from the cab due to the locker doors being open would stop once we got going. The vehicle itself (McGill's / Xplore Dundee Mercedes Tourismo 0639 BV71HYL) was well presented and very tidy inside and the seats being adjustable sideways is a massive pro on a service like this. The only two downsides I have are that the seats themselves are too firm and legroom is poor; while this is okay for going Aberdeen to Dundee, I wouldn't want to go Glasgow to London on the same vehicle for example.

I do find the McGill's Flixbus service the best run of the Flixbus operators. I used the 091 from Glasgow to Aberdeen last week and can't complain about the £7 fare. I find National Express more comfortable. I have used Flixbus overnight from London to Glasgow and the seats on the Volvos are the same.

 

[Jordan Adam]

I do find the McGill's Flixbus service the best run of the Flixbus operators. I used the 091 from Glasgow to Aberdeen last week and can't complain about the £7 fare. I find National Express more comfortable. I have used Flixbus overnight from London to Glasgow and the seats on the Volvos are the same.

Indeed the service seemed well run, it has been raised before but the lack of in person advertising at the stops isn't great. I've been seeing a lot of people at Aberdeen Bus Station going up to Stagecoach employees and asking where they can catch the Flixbus, even the stance at the bus station has zero mention of Flixbus.

The seats were okay enough, as i say a bit firm but that's maybe more personal preference. It was the poor legroom that was more the issue, if the passenger ahead of you reclines their seat then the back of their seat is practically on your knees. I am of the opinion that coaches on these sorts of services shouldn't have seats that recline in the first place.

 

[route101]

Indeed the service seemed well run, it has been raised before but the lack of in person advertising at the stops isn't great. I've been seeing a lot of people at Aberdeen Bus Station going up to Stagecoach employees and asking where they can catch the Flixbus, even the stance at the bus station has zero mention of Flixbus.

The seats were okay enough, as i say a bit firm but that's maybe more personal preference. It was the poor legroom that was more the issue, if the passenger ahead of you reclines their seat then the back of their seat is practically on your knees. I am of the opinion that coaches on these sorts of services shouldn't have seats that recline in the first place.

Yes, I do wonder if they will use Dundee Seagate Bus Station. Quite often Flixbus stops are just a regular bus stop, you may get a Flixbus QR code if you are lucky.

There is a mini coach boom at the moment in Scotland.

 

[GusB]

Flixbus is offering £2 tickets:

FlixBus marks anniversary with £2 tickets - Bus & Coach Buyer

FlixBus is offering passengers tickets from £2 on new and expanding routes across the country to celebrate its second anniversary in the UK. The discount tickets will be available to buy until 30 April, between the following destinations, for any new routes launching on 27 April: Aberdeen to...

www.busandcoachbuyer.com

FlixBus is offering passengers tickets from £2 on new and expanding routes across the country to celebrate its second anniversary in the UK.

The discount tickets will be available to buy until 30 April, between the following destinations, for any new routes launching on 27 April:

Aberdeen to Dunfermline and Edinburgh
Birmingham to Newcastle and Taunton
Bradford to Peterborough
Bristol to Newcastle
Cambridge to Stevenage
Dundee to Dunfermline and Edinburgh
Dunfermline to Aberdeen, Dundee, Perth and Edinburgh
Leeds to Manchester, Middlesbrough, Peterborough and Taunton
Leicester to Liverpool and Warrington
London to Peterborough and Stevenage
Manchester to Middlesbrough, Leeds and Newcastle
Middlesbrough to Manchester, Newcastle and Leeds
Newcastle to Manchester, Leeds, Middlesbrough, Bristol and Taunton
Peterborough to Sheffield, Bradford, Leeds and London
Sheffield to Taunton and Peterborough
Stevenage to Cambridge and London
Stoke to Warrington
Taunton to Leeds, Birmingham, Newcastle and Sheffield
Warrington to London, Leicester and Stoke
£2 tickets are also for routes with increased departures on the following services:

London to and from Bristol
Aberdeen, Perth, Dundee, Stirling and Glasgow
Tickets can be purchased for any journey up to 31 July.

The long-distance coach provider is also sharing a 20% off code for any ticket to 50 UK destinations on the FlixBus network until 30 April to be used on any journey until 31 July. New destinations on the FlixBus UK network include Middlesbrough, Stevenage and Peterborough.

FlixBus is to celebrate its second birthday with passengers in style, as customers at London Victoria Coach Station will receive free birthday cake and vouchers for the Starbucks located in the station on 21 April.

The company will also be on the new FlixBus’ expanded Scottish network, launching Thursday 27 April, with celebrations and free cake at Edinburgh station.

Free cake, too

 

[overthewater]

I see they're taking the Ryanair approach with certain destinations.

 

[Three_Counties]

I had a booking for the new Peterborough service tomorrow but this has been cancelled by Flix. Their app now says that the Peterborough service will not operate until Friday 19th May!

 

[Volvodart]

Flixbus have moved out of the bus station in Aberdeen and are back using Littlejohn Street.

 

[route101]

Flixbus have moved out of the bus station in Aberdeen and are back using Littlejohn Street.

Wonder what happened there?

I had a booking for the new Peterborough service tomorrow but this has been cancelled by Flix. Their app now says that the Peterborough service will not operate until Friday 19th May!

Hopefully it will operate. Might be down to poor passenger sales from there. I wonder if no one is going to and from Peterborough, the service will go up the M1.

 

[Bwsbro]

If it’s operated by Whippets then it’s almost guaranteed to go down the A1 for driver change. Almost every time I’ve traveled between Yorkshire and London we’ve gone via the A1

 

[route101]

If it’s operated by Whippets then it’s almost guaranteed to go down the A1 for driver change. Almost every time I’ve traveled between Yorkshire and London we’ve gone via the A1

I see, I seen a Leeds to London Whippets levante on the M1 near Nottingham last Saturday and my 023 changed drivers at Leicester Fosse Park.

 

[Jordan Adam]

Wonder what happened there?

Flixbus couldn't come to an agreement with Stagecoach Bluebird regarding the departure times.

That aside Union Square doesn't really have the space for the addition of the Flixbus service as it is.

 

[route101]

Flixbus couldn't come to an agreement with Stagecoach Bluebird regarding the departure times.

That aside Union Square doesn't really have the space for the addition of the Flixbus service as it is.

Yes, Aberdeen Bus Station is usually very busy.

 

[GusB]

Well, it seems that Flixbus isn't entirely happy with the Aberdeen situation, accusing Stagecoach of a conflict of interests due to its stake in Citylink.

Operators clash over Aberdeen bus station - Bus & Coach Buyer

A dispute has reared between Stagecoach and Flixbus over usage of Aberdeen bus station. Flixbus has claimed that Stagecoach, without warning, announced that the intercity coach operator cannot be given any further slots to pick up and drop off passengers as part of its expansion plans...

www.busandcoachbuyer.com

Flixbus and Stagecoach in disagreement over bus station usage

A dispute has reared between Stagecoach and Flixbus over usage of Aberdeen bus station.

Flixbus has claimed that Stagecoach, without warning, announced that the intercity coach operator cannot be given any further slots to pick up and drop off passengers as part of its expansion plans.

Stagecoach does not own the bus station but they have a mandate to run it.

Flixbus reports it is now being forced to operate from the street as it cannot have some stops in the station and some outside. This now sees passengers carrying suitcases and other luggage on the street, which it says is ‘totally unacceptable’. Following a health and safety assessment, Flixbus reports Stagecoach informed the company that its slots at the station would be withdrawn.

Flixbus Managing Director, Andreas Schorling, said: “Stagecoach has an ownership stake in Scottish Citylink which is a direct competitor to Flixbus and operates some of the lines for them. There is a glaring conflict of interests when it comes to their management of the bus station.”

Flixbus’s legal adviser Professor Peter Watson of PBW Law has now intimated by letter to Stagecoach at their Inverness HQ that a formal complaint will be submitted to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) should the matter not be immediately resolved.

Professor Watson said: “Stagecoach and its associated company Citylink are in a dominant position insofar as the operation of the Aberdeen bus station. Our clients’ inability to provide further services for which there is demand has the effect of restricting competition and frustrating customer demand. Our client has suffered loss and will continue to suffer loss as a direct result of Stagecoach’s actions. Our client considers the situation requires, in the public interest, a full and open investigation by the CMA.”

Mr Schorling added: “We will be informing Scottish Transport Minister Mr Kevin Stewart, MSP of our actions. And as he is the local MSP we are certain he will also appreciate the appalling manner in which our passengers are being treated in Aberdeen by Stagecoach. We also know Mr Stewart and his Scottish Government colleagues are huge supporters of getting people out of their cars and back into public transport.”

Flixbus partnered Scottish company McGill’s to provide regular coach services, up to hourly by the summer, for Glasgow, Edinburgh, Perth, Dundee and Stirling. This is all part of Flixbus’s plans to build the largest intercity coach network in the UK. The collaboration will by summer see 25 coaches on the Flixbus-McGill’s partner network.

McGill’s CEO Ralph Roberts, who is also President of the Confederation of Passenger Transport, said: “We cannot see a return to the days where a city is being treated as a personal fiefdom. We fully support the government in their green initiatives, and we all want to see more people choosing to travel by bus.”

Stagecoach's response:

Stagecoach rejects ‘inaccurate statements’
Stagecoach rejects what it describes as inaccurate statements made by Flixbus.

A spokesperson for Stagecoach said: “The picture presented is misleading and does not reflect what is a safety and capacity issue.

“We have been in discussions with Flixbus since early March on their proposals for the summer season. It is untrue that Flixbus would have slots withdrawn. Bus stations do have limits on capacity and there are important safety concerns that need to be addressed. There is an existing dispute resolution process which is available to Flixbus.

“As the manager of the bus station, we have a responsibility to ensure that customers, staff and vehicles can move safely and effectively within the station. This means that we must monitor the capacity of the station and consider the impact on safety and traffic congestion when evaluating requests for additional departures. We recognise the duty to manage the relationship with all third-party operators in a fair manner and we reject the suggestions of anti-competitive intent.

“We have endeavoured to have a constructive dialogue with Flixbus at all stages, including detailed discussions about how their proposed journeys could be safely accommodated within the bus station. We have suggested amendments to their proposed schedules to facilitate easier access to bus stands and we remain open to further discussions with Flixbus to address their concerns.”

 

[overthewater]

Is the Stagecoach bus station manager asking Flix to revise its timetable to interwork with Citylink timetable so the services can safety board? The trouble is the Citylink coach come in to the end stance and then just sits.

 

[GusB]

Is the Stagecoach bus station manager asking Flix to revise its timetable to interwork with Citylink timetable so the services can safety board? The trouble is the Citylink coach come in to the end stance and then just sits.

I'm not familiar with the arrangements in Aberdeen these days. If, on one hand, Stagecoach is saying that there is a problem with departure times, then on the other it turns out that some vehicles are just sitting at the stance for a long period of time, I can certainly understand why Flixbus is upset.

The bus station shouldn't be used to park buses for long periods of time between duties to the detriment of other operators. I don't recall there being problems at the old bus station when there were competing operators.

 

[Stena Galloway]

Is the Stagecoach bus station manager asking Flix to revise its timetable to interwork with Citylink timetable so the services can safety board? The trouble is the Citylink coach come in to the end stance and then just sits.

The Citylink buses have to leave the bus station from next week if they have layovers. The outside stance has also been deemed unsafe and will not be used from next week as well.

 

[overthewater]

The Citylink buses have to leave the bus station from next week if they have layovers. The outside stance has also been deemed unsafe and will not be used from next week as well.

So where are the Citylink coaches going to go for their layover? Also why now is the outside stance deemed unsafe after all these years?