FlixBus exceeds one million UK passenger trips

FlixBus carried its one millionth UK coach passenger in the summer. That landmark formed part of what the business says was a 94% increase in customer numbers between April and September compared to the same period in 2021. 

While competition remains strong in the scheduled coach market, FlixBus UK Managing Director Andreas Schörling has previously said that the business is drawing some of its passenger demand from alternative modes rather than other coach services. He adds that the one millionth passenger milestone “indicates a huge consumer appetite for our sustainable and affordable services.” 

Mr Schörling comments that FlixBus UK has “more than exceeded” its growth targets while again underlining the provider’s stated aim to become market leader. A spokesperson would not be drawn on when further routes will be added to its domestic network but has added that more are “absolutely” in the works. 

Strong performance in the UK by FlixBus was echoed elsewhere in the parent Flix group. Across the 39 countries where it provides services, passenger numbers in Q2/Q3 grew by 130% to 34 million. That total includes trips on FlixBus, FlixTrain, the Greyhound business in North America that Flix purchased from FirstGroup in 2021, and Kamil Koc in Turkey. 

Flix CEO André Schwämmlein says that the group “is back stronger than ever after the pandemic, demonstrating that our constant efforts towards sustainable recovery have paid off.” 

Adds Mr Schwämmlein: “We keep fostering our strategy to drive the future of mobility in a profitable and sustainable way. Investing in our expansion to Brazil, the United States, Canada, Portugal, and the Baltics during the pandemic, proved to be another bold and successful step towards our vision of offering affordable and sustainable mobility for everyone around the globe.” 

Work continues to develop “new sustainable alternative drives,” he concludes. Five Volvo coaches in FlixBus colours in France are testing the use of Oleo100 biodiesel that is made from rapeseed, while the business has previously made clear its intention to debut a hydrogen fuel-cell electric coach.