Flixbus Discussion

[johncrossley]

Are Flixbus running any services to Europe cant seem to find any.

They were running a few weeks ago. Given the current restrictions I doubt they would be viable. Hopefully they will be back when those restrictions are removed.

 

[Deerfold]

Are Flixbus running any services to Europe cant seem to find any.

No.

If you go to https://www.flixbus.co.uk/bus-routes#/map and click on London it will show everywhere you can travel to or from London - everywhere outside the UK disappears at this point.

 

[richw]

Are Flixbus running any services to Europe cant seem to find any.

France has basically shut its border to U.K. citizens even for transiting to other countries. I can’t see them being able to operate under those conditions

 

[markymark2000]

In news unreported here, Linburg have given up on Flixbus. Their runs have been changed and are now worked by Ridleys and Whippets.


This leaves the current operators at McGills, Ridleys, Turners and Whippets.

 

[MotCO]

In news unreported here, Linburg have given up on Flixbus.

Not viable, couldn't source drivers? Leaving Flixbus with so few operatotrs doesn't sound encouraging

 

[markymark2000]

Not viable, couldn't source drivers? Leaving Flixbus with so few operatotrs doesn't sound encouraging

That much I don't know. @darloscott Did you hear any reasons?

 

[darloscott]

That much I don't know. @darloscott Did you hear any reasons?

Couldn’t make it work financially I believe, much like many of the previous operators. Be interested to see how long the others last… or will Flix have to tweak the conditions to have an operation existing in the U.K. in a year or two?…

 

[markymark2000]

Couldn’t make it work financially I believe, much like many of the previous operators. Be interested to see how long the others last… or will Flix have to tweak the conditions to have an operation existing in the U.K. in a year or two?…

Thank you mate.

It will be interesting to see how others cope and how things progress.

 

[Eyersey468]

Couldn’t make it work financially I believe, much like many of the previous operators. Be interested to see how long the others last… or will Flix have to tweak the conditions to have an operation existing in the U.K. in a year or two?…

Can't say I am surprised they couldn't make it pay, whenever we see Flixbus coaches in Victoria they often have hardly anyone on them

 

[M803UYA]

Couldn’t make it work financially I believe, much like many of the previous operators. Be interested to see how long the others last… or will Flix have to tweak the conditions to have an operation existing in the U.K. in a year or two?…

Is Flixbus' operating model in the UK the same as mainland Europe?

 

[Eyersey468]

Is Flixbus' operating model in the UK the same as mainland Europe?

I imagine it is but can't say for certain. The way it works is the operator gets the fare revenue then pays Flixbus a percentage of that.

 

[M803UYA]

I imagine it is but can't say for certain. The way it works is the operator gets the fare revenue then pays Flixbus a percentage of that.

I'm not 100% sure, but I understood the operator also bears the operating costs for the vehicles. If this is the model Flixbus has employed in the USA and mainland Europe I don't realistically see them changing that approach for the UK.
Having to stand the costs of operating the vehicle is proving to be a problem for operators in the UK - it runs against the normal conventions of coach operation where those main costs are covered before the vehicle moves, this is a lot more speculative in that the revenues aren't predictable.
I know Linburg did work for Miki Travel prior to Covid 19 taking away all the incoming UK tourists, so wonder if that relationship has been revived. The costs of doing that would be easily understood and the revenues guaranteed as the customer hires the coach.

 

[Eyersey468]

I'm not 100% sure, but I understood the operator also bears the operating costs for the vehicles. If this is the model Flixbus has employed in the USA and mainland Europe I don't realistically see them changing that approach for the UK.
Having to stand the costs of operating the vehicle is proving to be a problem for operators in the UK - it runs against the normal conventions of coach operation where those main costs are covered before the vehicle moves, this is a lot more speculative in that the revenues aren't predictable.
I know Linburg did work for Miki Travel prior to Covid 19 taking away all the incoming UK tourists, so wonder if that relationship has been revived. The costs of doing that would be easily understood and the revenues guaranteed as the customer hires the coach.

Yes I believe the operator does own or lease and therefore bear the running costs of the vehicles

 

[Stan Drews]

The way it works is the operator gets the fare revenue then pays Flixbus a percentage of that.

That’s complete nonsense! The fare revenue has no impact on the rates guaranteed to the operator.

 

[Eyersey468]

That’s complete nonsense! The fare revenue has no impact on the rates guaranteed to the operator.

That is how it was described to me.

 

[Man of Kent]

I

That’s complete nonsense! The fare revenue has no impact on the rates guaranteed to the operator.

It isn't. See post 663.

 

[Stan Drews]

I

It isn't. See post 663.

I’m sorry, but there are false statements in that post too!

Fare revenue does not affect the payment guaranteed to the operators by FlixBus. Whether all operators mange to get their sums right and make a profit is dependent on many other factors, but not the basic fare revenue.

 

[route101]

Anyone used the Flixbus service to Scotland operated by McGills? I was thinking of using this, quieter than megabus/NX?

 

[Cesarcollie]

That’s complete nonsense! The fare revenue has no impact on the rates guaranteed to the operator.

it does. Unlike NX, the Flixbus offer is essentially a percentage of sales revenue, albeit underpinned by a (low) pence per mile payment guarantee aimed at covering the start up period.

 

[Stan Drews]

That’s complete nonsense! The fare revenue has no impact on the rates guaranteed to the operator.

it does. Unlike NX, the Flixbus offer is essentially a percentage of sales revenue, albeit underpinned by a (low) pence per mile payment guarantee aimed at covering the start up period.

I’m confused. You’ve just disputed what I said, by confirming what I said!

 

[Cesarcollie]

I’m confused. You’ve just disputed what I said, by confirming what I said!

Not really.The first part of the sentence says clearly that the model allocates a percentage of sales revenue to the operator! The (low) guaranteed rate only applies until the revenue percentage overtakes it.

 

[M803UYA]

Not really.The first part of the sentence says clearly that the model allocates a percentage of sales revenue to the operator! The (low) guaranteed rate only applies until the revenue percentage overtakes it.

So presumably the 'initial' period has ended in the case of Linburg, and they now have to absorb all the operational costs of running express services whereas beforehand that was insulated somewhat? The fleet they were using on this work were former Shearings Mercedes coaches, so the initial costs are reduced somewhat compared to a brand new coach, but there is still startup costs involved.
I wonder if they've got replacement work about to start where they're guaranteed the revenues and they know the costs - Miki Travel (one of the two tour companies who handle incoming Chinese tourists into the UK) are a former customer of the company. I guess we will see.
I don't foresee Flixbus altering their operating model in the UK if it's what they do elsewhere in the world.

 

[Stan Drews]

Not really.The first part of the sentence says clearly that the model allocates a percentage of sales revenue to the operator! The (low) guaranteed rate only applies until the revenue percentage overtakes it.

So, let’s take one step at a time. Do you agree that the guaranteed rate that FlixBus pay to operators is fixed, and not affected by the fare revenue?

 

[johncrossley]

Anyone used the Flixbus service to Scotland operated by McGills? I was thinking of using this, quieter than megabus/NX?

I used it just after it started. I posted about it at the time. I bought two seats together which only cost slightly more than one seat. There was some confusion about seat numbers back then. Hopefully those are now resolved and so if you buy two tickets nobody will ask to sit next to you.

 

[dan5324]

Coach travel is dying on its backside. There isn’t the space for three operators currently (maybe not even space for two). National Express will survive due to brand name and being slightly less amateurish than Flixbus.
Christmas passnger numbers this year were abysmal.

If things stay as they are I’d be willing to bet Flixbus will disappear from the U.K. network this time next year. If things stay as they are…

 

[Scotrail314209]

Coach travel is dying on its backside. There isn’t the space for three operators currently (maybe not even space for two). National Express will survive due to brand name and being slightly less amateurish than Flixbus.
Christmas passnger numbers this year were abysmal.

If things stay as they are I’d be willing to bet Flixbus will disappear from the U.K. network this time next year. If things stay as they are…

In terms of coach travel, I have noticed the only ones doing really well are the Scotland to London Megabus and NX services. Even Flixbus was running full at points.

I definitely think it’s a worrying time for coach travel as a whole, even Scottish Citylink appear to be on the quieter side with their intercity routes.

 

[Spsf3232]

I think the only reason Flixbus is around in the UK at this moment is to give Megabus competition and satisfy any interference on the sale of Stagecoach. Once things settle down I think we will see Flixbus vanish or change operations.

 

[JonathanH]

I think the only reason Flixbus is around in the UK at this moment is to give Megabus competition and satisfy any interference on the sale of Stagecoach. Once things settle down I think we will see Flixbus vanish or change operations.

Huh? Wouldn't that be illegal? Who do you suggest is supporting the survival of Flixbus to manipulate the National Express - Stagecoach merger? Besides, there is a divestiture of Megabus as part of the merger.

 

[MotCO]

I think the only reason Flixbus is around in the UK at this moment is to give Megabus competition and satisfy any interference on the sale of Stagecoach. Once things settle down I think we will see Flixbus vanish or change operations.

I think that that is is one conspiracy theory too far. Why would Flixbus help out the Nat Express / Stagecoach merger?

 

[M803UYA]

I think that that is is one conspiracy theory too far. Why would Flixbus help out the Nat Express / Stagecoach merger?

What is being described here is collusion, which isn't permitted under UK Competition Legislation.

Given how successful Flixbus has been in mainland Europe and the USA, I cannot see them exiting the UK market. Whether or not they consolidate is another matter, but they won't exit the UK market now that they're in it. I think if there is any consolidation it'll come from National Express and Megabus, which is not for this thread.