Flixbus Discussion

[Deerfold]

Bristol - Amsterdam also involves changing at Victoria doesn't it?

From 19th July there's a direct overnight service leading at 1600 and taking 15h40 with 30 minutes at Victoria.

 

[mikeg]

Least you get a break at Victoria. Flixbus do have some long routes such as Manchester - Paris. Bristol - Amsterdam and Leeds - Amsterdam.

I would fly for this sort of journey even if it was more expensive.

Oh don't get me wrong I'd normally pay a premium to fly but it gives me two extra days effectively being overnight so saves on hotel ching too. I'll probably be a little tired the first night so intend to spend the first day exploring the Dutch railways.

 

[Peter Philips]

Bristol - Amsterdam also involves changing at Victoria doesn't it?

From 19th July there's a direct overnight service leading at 1600 and taking 15h40 with 30 minutes at Victoria.

Interesting thanks, I hadn't looked far enough ahead! Any idea of the operator? From the odd days I've quickly checked it goes out some days via DFDS Dover-Dunkerque ferry and others DFDS Dover-Calais ferry but returns on P&O Calais-Dover ferry for some reason.

 

[markymark2000]

Interesting thanks, I hadn't looked far enough ahead! Any idea of the operator? From the odd days I've quickly checked it goes out some days via DFDS Dover-Dunkerque ferry and others DFDS Dover-Calais ferry but returns on P&O Calais-Dover ferry for some reason.

Turners are doing the new Bristol - Amsterdam route.
Whippets are doing the new Leeds - Amsterdam route.

All of the international services often change how they go over the channel. All depends on available bookings. I know that the Manchester - Paris service used to change it's timetable weekly depending on if it took Eurotunnel or the ferry company.

 

[Peter Philips]

Turners are doing the new Bristol - Amsterdam route.
Whippets are doing the new Leeds - Amsterdam route.

All of the international services often change how they go over the channel. All depends on available bookings. I know that the Manchester - Paris service used to change it's timetable weekly depending on if it took Eurotunnel or the ferry company.

Thanks. I much prefer the ferry!

 

[GusB]

Newport Transport is to start Flixbus work in August, running from Swansea to Heathrow and Gatwick.

Newport Transport to begin work for FlixBus in August - routeone

Newport Transport is the latest operator to become a FlixBus partner as part of further diversification of its business.

www.route-one.net

Newport Transport is the latest operator to become a FlixBus partner in work that the municipal says represents further diversification of its business.

The arrangement will begin in early August with the launch of services from Swansea that will run along the M4 corridor in South Wales and on to Bristol and Heathrow and Gatwick airports. Later this year it will see further vehicles added to “significantly” grow the FlixBus footprint in Wales and South West England into London and Heathrow.

Engagement with Newport Transport sees FlixBus “boldly venturing into the airport market,” says FlixBus UK Managing Director Andreas Schorling. That will add a new demographic to the travel provider’s customer base and Mr Schorling believes that airports will be “a major growth area” for FlixBus in coming years.

Newport Transport is in the process of creating a team dedicated to its FlixBus work. MD Scott Pearson says: “Our objective is to diversify our workstreams and deliver profitable growth to support and grow other areas of our business. This is best achieved through partnership with the most progressive and innovative company in the industry.

 

[markymark2000]

Newport Transport is to start Flixbus work in August, running from Swansea to Heathrow and Gatwick.

Newport Transport to begin work for FlixBus in August - routeone

Newport Transport is the latest operator to become a FlixBus partner as part of further diversification of its business.

www.route-one.net

Running as 2 journeys per day, each way Swansea, Port Talbot, Bridgend (Sarn), Cardiff, Newport, Bristol, Heathrow CBS, Heathrow T5, Gatwick North and Gatwick South. Another 2 journeys each way, per day doing Cardiff to Gatwick via the stops mentioned above. Using 3 buses in all over a 2 day rotation. Quite a big expansion. Also not sure on the fact Newport transport sre kind of gambling with public money here (especially given the amount of operators who have left flixbus).

 

[Mwanesh]

Running as 2 journeys per day, each way Swansea, Port Talbot, Bridgend (Sarn), Cardiff, Newport, Bristol, Heathrow CBS, Heathrow T5, Gatwick North and Gatwick South. Another 2 journeys each way, per day doing Cardiff to Gatwick via the stops mentioned above. Using 3 buses in all over a 2 day rotation. Quite a big expansion. Also not sure on the fact Newport transport sre kind of gambling with public money here (especially given the amount of operators who have left flixbus).

It's already causing a stink. The Flixbus driving team will be on £14 an hour nearly £3 more than other drivers.The amount of operators who come and go is rather concerning from my point of view

 

[route101]

Impressed with the number of Flixbus services within Scotland. 091, 092, 093 and 094.

The 0745 093 Glasgow to Perth was displaying an incorrect 092 number.

Who has the longer wheel base white Volvo? I am sure it was on a 092 service today.

 

[Dfatcontroller]

Who has the longer wheel base white Volvo? I am sure it was on a 092 service today.

If you mean the tri-axle Volvo 9700 it is one of two with Edinburgh Coach Lines and would have been on Megabus/Citylink M92.

 

[route101]

If you mean the tri-axle Volvo 9700 it is one of two with Edinburgh Coach Lines and would have been on Megabus/Citylink M92.

Yes, I thought it was Flixbus as there was a Fishers Tours coach on the M92 not far ahead of it.

 

[Volvodart]

There are only 15 minutes between some M92's now.

 

[Flange Squeal]

Rowgate Group subsidiary Fernhill Travel of Berkshire are to operate routes to Birmingham, Leicester and Nottingham from fellow Rowgate subsidiary White Bus' Surrey depot in Woking. They are, I believe, a new Flixbus partner rather than an existing one?

A copy of the job advert can be found in post 21 of the Jobs thread:

Jobs and Careers in the Bus & Coach Industry

We have a whole section of the forum dedicated to railway jobs and careers, but nothing similar for jobs in the bus and coach sector. The purpose of this thread is to provide a space for you to post any vacancies you may come across. Questions regarding specific vacancies will be welcome; if a...

www.railforums.co.uk

 

[Bwsbro]

The Bristol to Amsterdam Is scheduled to travel through Victoria, will be the first of the new international journeys to serve Victoria as both the Manchester and the new Leeds call at Stratford & North Greenwich instead

 

[markymark2000]

July/August Changes

For the benefit of the forum (as not everyone will be on the specific enthusiasts groups), I thought that I would share the July/August 2023 changes. These are all changes which are in the booking system with one or two bits of information being from people who work for the bus operators.

For anyone wishing to see timetables rather than using the Flixbus booking engine, the Google Sheets spreadsheet in post #1092 is still going though note that it can only be accessed on a computer or via Google Sheets app. If you want to use your mobile browser, you can do it but you have to mess with putting it on 'desktop view' and stuff like that.

Date	Route	Change
13TH JULY	006 Cambridge - London	Times are changed
13TH JULY	021 Liverpool - London	Extra round trip added. Now 1 x via Warrington and Birmingham, 1 x Chester and Coventry
13TH JULY	023 Manchester - London	Simplified to be the same timetable each day. 1 less round trip. One trip via Leicester each way
13TH JULY	N601 Leeds - Amsterdam	New service running 6 days per week calling Sheffield, Notingham, Leicester, Cambridge, London Stratford, North Greenwich, Antwerp & Utrecht
19TH JULY	N613 NEW ROUTE Bristol - Amsterdam	New service running 5 times per week calling London VCS, Bruges & Rotterdam
20TH JULY	045 Plymouth - London	1 journey each way extended to Penzance via Newquay and Hayle
20TH JULY	N45 Plymouth - London	Extended to start at Penzance via Newquay and Hayle
21ST JULY	005 Leicester - London	Withdrawn (possible restart in the future)
21ST JULY	020 Birmingham - London	Extra trips added 06:00 from London, 10:40 from Birmingham
21ST JULY	023 Manchester - London	2 more round trips added via Birmingham.
24TH JULY	602 Birmingham - Brussels	New route operated by Hearns from Birmingham to Brussels calling Watford Junction, London Victoria Coach Station, Lille & Brussels
8TH AUGUST	041 Bristol - London	Heathrow removed from some trips. Times amended slightly.
8TH AUGUST	046 Swansea - London	Removed Heathrow Airport. Times amended slightly
8TH AUGUST	NEW ROUTE South Wales - Gatwick	New route operated by Newport Bus from Swansea to Gatwick Airport calling Port Talbot, Bridgend, Cardiff, Newport, Brsitol, Heathrow Central and Heathrow T5.
21ST AUGUST	020 Birmingham - London	06:00 from London & 10:40 from Birmingham removed.
28TH AUGUST	N602 Birmingham - Brussels	Route amended to call at London Stratford & London North Greenwich instead of Victoria Coach Station

 

[Peter Philips]

July/August Changes

For the benefit of the forum (as not everyone will be on the specific enthusiasts groups), I thought that I would share the July/August 2023 changes. These are all changes which are in the booking system with one or two bits of information being from people who work for the bus operators.

For anyone wishing to see timetables rather than using the Flixbus booking engine, the Google Sheets spreadsheet in post #1092 is still going though note that it can only be accessed on a computer or via Google Sheets app. If you want to use your mobile browser, you can do it but you have to mess with putting it on 'desktop view' and stuff like that.

Date	Route	Change
13TH JULY	006 Cambridge - London	Times are changed
13TH JULY	021 Liverpool - London	Extra round trip added. Now 1 x via Warrington and Birmingham, 1 x Chester and Coventry
13TH JULY	023 Manchester - London	Simplified to be the same timetable each day. 1 less round trip. One trip via Leicester each way
13TH JULY	N601 Leeds - Amsterdam	New service running 6 days per week calling Sheffield, Notingham, Leicester, Cambridge, London Stratford, North Greenwich, Antwerp & Utrecht
19TH JULY	N613 NEW ROUTE Bristol - Amsterdam	New service running 5 times per week calling London VCS, Bruges & Rotterdam
20TH JULY	045 Plymouth - London	1 journey each way extended to Penzance via Newquay and Hayle
20TH JULY	N45 Plymouth - London	Extended to start at Penzance via Newquay and Hayle
21ST JULY	005 Leicester - London	Withdrawn (possible restart in the future)
21ST JULY	020 Birmingham - London	Extra trips added 06:00 from London, 10:40 from Birmingham
21ST JULY	023 Manchester - London	2 more round trips added via Birmingham.
8TH AUGUST	041 Bristol - London	Heathrow removed from some trips. Times amended slightly.
8TH AUGUST	046 Swansea - London	Removed Heathrow Airport. Times amended slightly
8TH AUGUST	NEW ROUTE South Wales - Gatwick	New route operated by Newport Bus from Swansea to Gatwick Airport calling Port Talbot, Bridgend, Cardiff, Newport, Brsitol, Heathrow Central and Heathrow T5.
21ST AUGUST	020 Birmingham - London	06:00 from London & 10:40 from Birmingham removed.
28TH AUGUST	NEW ROUTE Birmingham - Brussels	New route operated by Hearns from Birmingham to Brussels calling Watford Junction, London Stratford, London North Greenwich, Lille & Brussels

A useful summary, thanks. Interesting to see a fourth UK regional to Europe route, wonder if others are in the pipeline?

 

[markymark2000]

A useful summary, thanks. Interesting to see a fourth UK regional to Europe route, wonder if others are in the pipeline?

I think that they will need another operator or two before more international stuff comes out. I also think that they should look to develop some more of the domestic market. So many routes which they could expand onto or improve. You can even do it using the existing amount of coaches, you just need more drivers to cover the additional work. That being the key issue I think. It's therefore strange that international is being expanded as that is all double manned. If it was domestic lines, you could single man routes so more drivers are available to cover more work.

Berrys I dont think will do international services.
Boudens, I am not sure if they expand too much. I just don't get that feeling from them
Cymru Coaches, almost certain not to do international. They don't seem to be expanding.
McGills have stated that they are bringing 25 coaches to Flixbus and I work out their current PVR to be 23. Granted you could get a lot more out of the coaches but I think they are the wrong end of the UK for international routes except Ireland.
Newport Bus, Not sure if they will want to venture too far out.
Stanley Travel could do but I think they are the wrong part of the UK for longer distance international routes.
Tiger European seems to be happy with their 1 bus.
Turners seem to like a PVR of 6 which is what they currently have. Granted you could get more out of some of the coaches though.
Whippets are having 14 coaches and their current PVR is 12 so plus 2 spares would be right.

That leaves Belle Vue and Hearns. Both of these are firms which are expanding their Flixbus work but I am not sure if that will include more international work.

This is my personal view, I am not saying this is fact, I have no proof (You have to say this on the forum else someone will jump on you),

 

[bussnapperwm]

I think that they will need another operator or two before more international stuff comes out. I also think that they should look to develop some more of the domestic market. So many routes which they could expand onto or improve. You can even do it using the existing amount of coaches, you just need more drivers to cover the additional work. That being the key issue I think. It's therefore strange that international is being expanded as that is all double manned. If it was domestic lines, you could single man routes so more drivers are available to cover more work.

Berrys I dont think will do international services.
Boudens, I am not sure if they expand too much. I just don't get that feeling from them
Cymru Coaches, almost certain not to do international. They don't seem to be expanding.
McGills have stated that they are bringing 25 coaches to Flixbus and I work out their current PVR to be 23. Granted you could get a lot more out of the coaches but I think they are the wrong end of the UK for international routes except Ireland.
Newport Bus, Not sure if they will want to venture too far out.
Stanley Travel could do but I think they are the wrong part of the UK for longer distance international routes.
Tiger European seems to be happy with their 1 bus.
Turners seem to like a PVR of 6 which is what they currently have. Granted you could get more out of some of the coaches though.
Whippets are having 14 coaches and their current PVR is 12 so plus 2 spares would be right.

That leaves Belle Vue and Hearns. Both of these are firms which are expanding their Flixbus work but I am not sure if that will include more international work.

This is my personal view, I am not saying this is fact, I have no proof (You have to say this on the forum else someone will jump on you),

Unless some of the EU based ops might decide to run some international stuff to the UK north of London for Flix

 

[markymark2000]

In a slight change to the above. Hearns are starting their service to Birmingham a bit earlier. It starts 24th July calling Watford Junction, London Victoria Coach Station, Lille & Brussels. Birmingham is only served towards Brussels for some strange reason. It seems based off the booking engine that these trips are set to be diverted in August though to via Stratford and North Greenwich.

I would post a photo but as the timetable changes regularly depending on the ferry/eurotunnel times, it seems a bit daft. The basic information is above and the source is the Flixbus website booking engine which everyone can access.

 

[83G/84D]

Berry’s Van Hool BR21 OCV seen on layover at Penzance on Flixbus service 045.

 

[Peter Philips]

Berry’s Van Hool BR21 OCV seen on layover at Penzance on Flixbus service 045.

Thanks. Presumably Roselyn (Plymouth base) are now crewing Berry's vehicles all the way to Penzance as it did the Taunton-Plymouth before?

 

[83G/84D]

Thanks. Presumably Roselyn (Plymouth base) are now crewing Berry's vehicles all the way to Penzance as it did the Taunton-Plymouth before?

I don't know as I didn't see any driver on the coach. Would have liked to find how the service was faring so far.

 

[route101]

Was at Edinburgh Bus Station yesterday morning.

080 service to Bristol. Good loading onto this service, avoids Glasgow unlike National Express.
N010 from London was full.

Does Dundee operate the 080 all the way to Bristol?

 

[Stan Drews]

Does Dundee operate the 080 all the way to Bristol?

Yes, they do.

 

[JonathanH]

Overnight Flixbus coach from London to Liverpool and Manchester cancelled this evening. Text message at 5pm tonight at least gave some warning but not the sort of thing that endears an operator to its customers.

 

[Mwanesh]

Overnight Flixbus coach from London to Liverpool and Manchester cancelled this evening. Text message at 5pm tonight at least gave some warning but not the sort of thing that endears an operator to its customers.

Maybe could not get an operator to cover it. They don't seem to have many operators in London.

 

[markymark2000]

Overnight Flixbus coach from London to Liverpool and Manchester cancelled this evening. Text message at 5pm tonight at least gave some warning but not the sort of thing that endears an operator to its customers.

Sadly it seems that Whippets have taken on more than they can chew. They seem to often struggle with a driver shortage

Maybe could not get an operator to cover it. They don't seem to have many operators in London.

Easier said than done. Flix doesn't do like NatEx and Megabus and have an endless supply of coach operators who cover work (including driver shortage or breakdowns). They simply cancel journeys.

As for London operators, White Bus are about to start but depends if they have the resources to also cover other services. Hearns isn't too far away but I am sure that they arent covering random trips for others, just covering full routes/duties if they can, as/when Flix want to expand but other operators can't cover it.

 

[route101]

I am on the N31 Glasgow to London this week. Booked the seat next to me too, lets see if I get any chancers.

 

[northernrail2009]

Do they let you do that if no one is going to sit in the seat next to you?

so you are paying for 2 people really then?

 

[johncrossley]

Do they let you do that if no one is going to sit in the seat next to you?

so you are paying for 2 people really then?

Flixbus explicitly advertise that you can reserve the seat next to you. It normally costs less than paying for two seats.