Flixbus Discussion

[nick291]

Really hope 045 continues but with another operator rather than Berrys who are am awful operator with awful coaches. Was full Saturday night and often is and so odd if it gets cancelled then.

Berry's have their own London services to worry about, so not surprised they're giving it up tbh.

 

[AndrewTaylor95]

Heard today Flixbus removing the service 090 Glasgow to Edinburgh not enough demand? Anyone get chance to use this?

That comes as no surprise, no idea what they where thinking even trying it in the first place, most I've seen since last week have been empty, I've used it a couple of times for a quieter journey that's the only positive I'm taking from it

 

[computerSaysNo]

That comes as no surprise, no idea what they where thinking even trying it in the first place, most I've seen since last week have been empty, I've used it a couple of times for a quieter journey that's the only positive I'm taking from it

They're trying to compete with the Citylink 900 and with the train. For me personally it is useless as it doesn't stop anywhere near me, whereas the 900 does, but presumably it's useful for people going from city centre to city centre.

 

[Blindtraveler]

My friend and former neighbour used it once or twice but for him the novelty factor soon wore off because of the need to go into Edinburgh City Centre to pick it up when there would otherwise be no need for this with the 900.

 

[j_walker1804]

Chalfont are joining FlixBus as an operator from their Northampton depot.

I would imagine this will be the end of the NX work out of Northampton if not Southall too with the loss of routes recently.

Levante BV67 JZA has been painted in full livery.

Source - NX drivers have transferred from Chalfont to my operator.

 

[markymark2000]

Chalfont are joining FlixBus as an operator from their Northampton depot.

I would imagine this will be the end of the NX work out of Northampton if not Southall too with the loss of routes recently.

Levante BV67 JZA has been painted in full livery.

This would make sense given the new routes/trips that are coming out.

New trips on the 005, 023 (08:00 London-Manchester & 15:00 Manchester - London) and later the 001, are all down to be operated by a Levante and so given the news these are possibly Chalfont trips.

In other news, cuts coming to the 071 and Belle Vue trips on the 074, given these cuts free up 2 buses, and there are 2 new superfast 023s starting on the same day, and the trips are at the same time ones that Belle Vue ran previously, I presume these trips will be operated by Belle Vue.

This is the list of changes coming up over the next few weeks which are known about. I've compiled this list myself by going through the Flix website, with some help from the Flixbus Open Data which Bustimes.org showcases in a friendly format.

22nd September	006 Cambridge - London	Electric coach trips removed. Timetable reverts to pre August timetable.
27th September	005 Leicester - London	2 additional round trips daily
27th September	023 Manchester - London	Daily super fast round trip added 08:00 from London, 15:00 from Manchester
30th September	023 Manchester - London	2 daily super fast round trips added. 07:00/11:10 from Manchester & 13:30/18:00 from London
30th September	071 Manchester - Bristol	11:40 Manchester - Bristol & 18:30 Bristol - Manchester withdrawn
30th September	074 Manchester - York	Belle Vue trips withdrawn
4th October	001 Newcastle - London	2 daily round trips added
7th October	020 Birmingham - London	4 daily round trips added (2 additional buses, each making 2 round trips)

Source - NX drivers have transferred from Chalfont to my operator.

Just incase anyone else wants another source, Hayley Russell, Flixbus UK Team Lead Operations has shared the news to Linkedin.

Hayley Russell on LinkedIn: It’s funny how no matter what you tell your dad, there are only 3 keys on…

It’s funny how no matter what you tell your dad, there are only 3 keys on their keyboard that are worth using Incredibly excited to share that Chalfont…

www.linkedin.com

 

[Mwanesh]

Chalfont are joining FlixBus as an operator from their Northampton depot.

I would imagine this will be the end of the NX work out of Northampton if not Southall too with the loss of routes recently.

Levante BV67 JZA has been painted in full livery.

Source - NX drivers have transferred from Chalfont to my operator.

Knew this was coming .Most of the Chalfont work on NX has moved inhouse to Woods Coaches from the Leicester and Aston depots .It has taken a little bit longer

 

[henryb]

Has the 045 been officially cancelled, it’s always been busy when I have used?

 

[route101]

That comes as no surprise, no idea what they where thinking even trying it in the first place, most I've seen since last week have been empty, I've used it a couple of times for a quieter journey that's the only positive I'm taking from it

Seen a service 090 pull into Glasgow today with no passengers alighting. The appeal of the 900 is its a turn up and go service with a £10 return fare.

 

[embers25]

Has the 045 been officially cancelled, it’s always been busy when I have used?

The N45 and 045 are usually well loaded from Exeter on

 

[markymark2000]

Has the 045 been officially cancelled, it’s always been busy when I have used?

Flix rarely state publicly about service cuts or changes. The information posted on here and other forums is what people have worked out in their free time by going through the Flix site and manually checking each route for changes.

That said, as if recent checks, all routes operated by Berry's Coaches (045/N45 & 078) have no times showing for dates after the start of November. So far, I've not seen any confirmation from drivers, operator or Flixbus about whether this is just a winter timetable not yet loaded onto the site, or whether the trips are being withdrawn. It's happened a few times before when trips drop off the Flix site then a week or so before the current timetable end dates, loads of new trips show up.

Seen a service 090 pull into Glasgow today with no passengers alighting. The appeal of the 900 is its a turn up and go service with a £10 return fare.

900 is faster too. Despite more stops and diversions, it's faster. So many flaws on the 090. Surely they can't keep it going, it's got to be through money down the drain constantly subsidising this over other routes.

 

[henryb]

The N45 and 045 are usually well loaded from Exeter on

That would make me question why it would be cancelled

 

[AndrewTaylor95]

Flix rarely state publicly about service cuts or changes. The information posted on here and other forums is what people have worked out in their free time by going through the Flix site and manually checking each route for changes.

That said, as if recent checks, all routes operated by Berry's Coaches (045/N45 & 078) have no times showing for dates after the start of November. So far, I've not seen any confirmation from drivers, operator or Flixbus about whether this is just a winter timetable not yet loaded onto the site, or whether the trips are being withdrawn. It's happened a few times before when trips drop off the Flix site then a week or so before the current timetable end dates, loads of new trips show up.


900 is faster too. Despite more stops and diversions, it's faster. So many flaws on the 090. Surely they can't keep it going, it's got to be through money down the drain constantly subsidising this over other routes.

Keep turning people away to the 900 as well wanting to use their NECs which is baffling or getting you to book it so it technically costs you even though it's a fresh air express

 

[overthewater]

Seen a service 090 pull into Glasgow today with no passengers alighting. The appeal of the 900 is its a turn up and go service with a £10 return fare.

Keep turning people away to the 900 as well wanting to use their NECs which is baffling or getting you to book it so it technically costs you even though it's a fresh air express

I think Flix is missing a trick with the 090. The service operates via M8/ Hermiston gait/ A71. Surly it would be sensible to add a stop at Napier Uni bus stop? It would open alot of new links to south west Edinburgh and the unis in the area. Plus the coaches can still go down Bankhead Ave to beat the traffic.

 

[LiviCrazy]

I think Flix is missing a trick with the 090. The service operates via M8/ Hermiston gait/ A71. Surly it would be sensible to add a stop at Napier Uni bus stop? It would open alot of new links to south west Edinburgh and the unis in the area. Plus the coaches can still go down Bankhead Ave to beat the traffic.

I would add that they could actually have the service operate along the A71 to Livingston and straight up the A899 in Livingston stopping at one of the fast link stops (rather than going into the Bus Terminal), then joining the motorway at Deer Park. It wouldn’t add anything much to the journey (I drive it regularly and it is usually faster than going via the motorway). I think they need to stop trying to make it direct competition with Citylink and try to offer a slightly different option connecting areas that don’t have them.

 

[route101]

I think Flix is missing a trick with the 090. The service operates via M8/ Hermiston gait/ A71. Surly it would be sensible to add a stop at Napier Uni bus stop? It would open alot of new links to south west Edinburgh and the unis in the area. Plus the coaches can still go down Bankhead Ave to beat the traffic.

I have used the 090 a few times and the first time it went via Newhouse and the Zoo. I have only used it to Edinburgh as the start pint in Edinburgh is just less convenient than the bus station. Then there is pricing, Flixbus can surge the prices (look at some of the Glasgow to London prices).

 

[Mwanesh]

I would add that they could actually have the service operate along the A71 to Livingston and straight up the A899 in Livingston stopping at one of the fast link stops (rather than going into the Bus Terminal), then joining the motorway at Deer Park. It wouldn’t add anything much to the journey (I drive it regularly and it is usually faster than going via the motorway). I think they need to stop trying to make it direct competition with Citylink and try to offer a slightly different option connecting areas that don’t have them.

Well said you would expect them to try something different than copy the other operators.

 

[YorkRailFan]

Prospect will be joining Flixbus from 7 October:

FlixBus is adding Prospect Coaches as a partner on its UK network.

Prospect Coaches, headquartered in the West Midlands, will be the second operator in as many weeks to join FlixBus. They join the recently signed-up Chalfont Coaches of Northampton, who it was announced are joining earlier this month.

Initially, Prospect will add two Scania Higer vehicles to the FlixBus network, with services between Birmingham and London starting on 7 October. Eight more vehicles will follow in 2025, providing even more services on the FlixBus UK map.

“We could not ignore the innovation and advanced model FlixBus is bringing to the coach market” – Managing Director of Prospect Coaches West, Nathan Hadley

Managing Director of Prospect Coaches West, Nathan Hadley, said: “FlixBus has impressed us with the rapid growth of the brand and the huge number of green coaches we see on the road.

“We could not ignore the innovation and advanced model FlixBus is bringing to the coach market, and the time was right for us to make the move. We are excited to expand the business and partner with FlixBus. The FlixBus team has a positive energy, they share our values and are the only option offering the growth that matches our ambition.”

Andreas Schorling, FlixBus UK Managing Director, said: “Since our launch to the UK market, we’ve brought unmatched ambition and optimism which has allowed us to attract high-quality operators like Prospect to join us.”

Prospect has been operating express coach services since 2021, as well as offering day trips, sports teams, private hire and schools.

“The rate of growth we are delivering is phenomenal and we have no plans to stop in 2025″ – Andreas Schorling

Prospect gets onboard with FlixBus - Bus & Coach Buyer

FlixBus is adding Prospect Coaches as a partner on its UK network. Prospect Coaches, headquartered in the West Midlands, will be the second operator in as many weeks to join FlixBus. They join the recently signed-up Chalfont Coaches of Northampton, who it was announced are joining earlier this...

www.busandcoachbuyer.com

 

[markymark2000]

Prospect will be joining Flixbus from 7 October:

Prospect gets onboard with FlixBus - Bus & Coach Buyer

FlixBus is adding Prospect Coaches as a partner on its UK network. Prospect Coaches, headquartered in the West Midlands, will be the second operator in as many weeks to join FlixBus. They join the recently signed-up Chalfont Coaches of Northampton, who it was announced are joining earlier this...

www.busandcoachbuyer.com

For anyone interested, the Prospect trips are Birmingham to London Victoria Coach Station calling only at Finchley Road on the way.
08:15, 09:15, 17:00 & 17:45 from Birmingham
13:00, 14:00, 21:30 & 22:30 from London Victoria Coach Station.

 

[Mwanesh]

For anyone interested, the Prospect trips are Birmingham to London Victoria Coach Station calling only at Finchley Road on the way.
08:15, 09:15, 17:00 & 17:45 from Birmingham
13:00, 14:00, 21:30 & 22:30 from London Victoria Coach Station.

Who has been operating these trips .I cant keep up with the operator changes.

 

[MotCO]

Who has been operating these trips .I cant keep up with the operator changes.

Is there a reason why operators change so often? Is the operating and financial model for contractors unduly onerous or unfair? Are the profits for operators hard to achieve?

 

[Eyersey468]

Is there a reason why operators change so often? Is the operating and financial model for contractors unduly onerous or unfair? Are the profits for operators hard to achieve?

My understanding is the commercial risk lies with the operator and Flixbus take a cut of the ticket sales

 

[markymark2000]

Who has been operating these trips .I cant keep up with the operator changes.

New trips, not operator changes.

Is there a reason why operators change so often?

Operators join and leave all the time. Flixbus is a relatively new company and operators will be testing the water to see if it works for them. It's not as easy to operate as many other bits of work You need liveried, PSVAR buses, you need lots of drivers and contingencies too as you can't just dump passengers half way on the route due to no driver etc etc. Also to cover bigger breaks. It's not as simple as private hire or irregular contracts. Finances of course will come into it and some operators may struggle to make things work depending on what agreement they have with Flixbus.

My understanding is the commercial risk lies with the operator and Flixbus take a cut of the ticket sales

Flix has a few different ways of partnering with operators. You have explained one model. Lots of things are agreed between Flixbus and the operators rather than them having a single model for operating.

 

[Eyersey468]

New trips, not operator changes.


Operators join and leave all the time. Flixbus is a relatively new company and operators will be testing the water to see if it works for them. It's not as easy to operate as many other bits of work You need liveried, PSVAR buses, you need lots of drivers and contingencies too as you can't just dump passengers half way on the route due to no driver etc etc. Also to cover bigger breaks. It's not as simple as private hire or irregular contracts. Finances of course will come into it and some operators may struggle to make things work depending on what agreement they have with Flixbus.


Flix has a few different ways of partnering with operators. You have explained one model. Lots of things are agreed between Flixbus and the operators rather than them having a single model for operating.

Aah I hadn't realised they had several ways of partnering with operators,thanks

 

[dmncf]

I assume that if I'm an operator wanting to start a totally new route under the Flixbus brand (e.g. Bournemouth to Brighton), then Flixbus would be happy for me to take the commercial risk and they take a cut of the ticket sales.
But I guess that if I'm an operator wanting to operate a route that's already served by other operators under the Flixbus brand (e.g. London to Birmingham), then the commercial arrangements with all operators on that route will need to follow a different model, because otherwise the incumbent operators would be unhappy that I have squeezed into their route and taken away a slice of their ticket sales.

 

[jb66]

Any idea why flixbus don't offer tickets from Edinburgh to Livingston? Had to buy a ticket to Harthill and sneak off.

Same with Livingston to Edinburgh, don't want to risk buying a Harthill to Edinburgh and ticket and driver won't let me on

 

[richw]

Any idea why flixbus don't offer tickets from Edinburgh to Livingston? Had to buy a ticket to Harthill and sneak off.

Same with Livingston to Edinburgh, don't want to risk buying a Harthill to Edinburgh and ticket and driver won't let me on

What’s the distance between the two places? It has to be registered as a local bus service to offer tickets between places under a certain distance apart. It isn’t registered as a local bus so can’t offer travel for short distances

 

[jb66]

That must be it as I can't book a ticket to livingston from Harthill either

 

[GusB]

Any idea why flixbus don't offer tickets from Edinburgh to Livingston? Had to buy a ticket to Harthill and sneak off.

Same with Livingston to Edinburgh, don't want to risk buying a Harthill to Edinburgh and ticket and driver won't let me on

What’s the distance between the two places? It has to be registered as a local bus service to offer tickets between places under a certain distance apart. It isn’t registered as a local bus so can’t offer travel for short distances

Google maps suggests the distance is 17 miles but the distance between the two points (in a straight line) needs to be 15 miles; any less and it'd have to be registered as a local service.

I entered "distance edinburgh to livingston as the crow flies" into Google and comes it up with various results that suggest it's 13-14 miles between the two. https://www.distancefromto.net/distance-from-livingston-gb-to-edinburgh-gb is one result, but there are several others.

 

[richw]

I entered "distance edinburgh to livingston as the crow flies" into Google and comes it up with various results that suggest it's 13-14 miles between the two. https://www.distancefromto.net/distance-from-livingston-gb-to-edinburgh-gb is one result, but there are several others.

Not sure about this rule, but the 50km rule for under 21s is as the crow flies, which has never made sense to me.