Flixbus Discussion

[route101]

Having been on the N49 Exeter-Heathrow(25th June, I found out the following:

The Penzance-London N49 and VV, drivers work Penzance-Newquay, Newquay-Taunton, Taunton-London, the Penzance-Taunton driver has couple hours then back to Newquay, and the Taunton-London driver does London and back.

First bus Camborne depot has 8 Yutongs, so the coaches get swapped over after getting back to Penzance, so should not be too intensively used and kept in good nick.

The Penzance services will be permanent and the 23.59 from Victoria will be permanent too, and not summer and holidays only, so this bodes well for these services.

I think with First Bus taking over these services, they should be more reliable and coaches in better condition as they wont be used for school runs etc in between the London runs.

How busy was is the N49?

 

[cambsy]

The N49 would say about 75 per cent full at times, and the New 25 plate Yutongs are nice coaches and seem nippy. Ill be using FlixBus to London more now, as Nat EX Parks Of Hamilton coaches are prety much all riffy now.

 

[route101]

The N49 would say about 75 per cent full at times, and the New 25 plate Yutongs are nice coaches and seem nippy. Ill be using FlixBus to London more now, as Nat EX Parks Of Hamilton coaches are prety much all riffy now.

I might give the N49 a shot, only NX route I took to SW was the overnight 106. The legroom on the Yutongs is a bit tight and I am not tall.

 

[henryb]

I might give the N49 a shot, only NX route I took to SW was the overnight 106. The legroom on the Yutongs is a bit tight and I am not tall.

You can always book the neighbour free option usually for an extra £4/6 and they do get enforced by drivers

 

[route101]

You can always book the neighbour free option usually for an extra £4/6 and they do get enforced by drivers

Yes, I have used that on the Scotland overnights but the price is a lot more expensive, increases with ticket cost.

 

[nick291]

I might give the N49 a shot, only NX route I took to SW was the overnight 106. The legroom on the Yutongs is a bit tight and I am not tall.

I'm hoping for a Yutong on sunday for my trip on the 940. Not too fond of the Volvo 9800.

 

[cambsy]

route101, iI haven’t been on the Yutongs sat in the window seats, so cant say how bad the legroom, as so far ive been booked in the front seats in the aisle seats, which was fine. The 106 and other Edward’s run Nat Ex services to the SW are the best as they have decently new Caetano’, s 24-74 plates.

 

[danielhogg2005]

Was there ever any mention of Flixbus running an Inverness to Aberdeen route. Would be nice to have it numbered 096, Stagecoach's M96 is awful.

 

[MotCO]

Was there ever any mention of Flixbus running an Inverness to Aberdeen route. Would be nice to have it numbered 096, Stagecoach's M96 is awful.

Is that on Ember's radar?

 

[route101]

Was there ever any mention of Flixbus running an Inverness to Aberdeen route. Would be nice to have it numbered 096, Stagecoach's M96 is awful.

No, don't think so. Ember you might of been thinking of. I am not sure if there is demand for a 3rd operator on that route. I am not sure what they can expand on in Scotland to be fair. They offered Edinburgh - Manchester - Bristol and later Liverpool and that is still a gap for an operator to fill. Ember offer set fares and no seat reservations which is an advantage over flixbus.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 26 Jun 2025 ==

Is that on Ember's radar?

Route has already started

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 26 Jun 2025 ==

route101, iI haven’t been on the Yutongs sat in the window seats, so cant say how bad the legroom, as so far ive been booked in the front seats in the aisle seats, which was fine. The 106 and other Edward’s run Nat Ex services to the SW are the best as they have decently new Caetano’, s 24-74 plates.

I have never booked the front seats. I have seen passengers to who have booked them asked to move elsewhere by drivers a few times.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 26 Jun 2025 ==

You can always book the neighbour free option usually for an extra £4/6 and they do get enforced by drivers

Last time I booked the seat next to me, someone got on at Leeds at 3am and sat in the seat next to me. I wonder if he knew he had a seat or not.

 

[nick291]

Flixbus notified me earlier that my original trip was cancelled and that I could rebook for no extra cost. I booked onto the next available journey despite when I looked that trip was more expensive, guess I saved myself a few quid in doing so!

 

[Volvodart]

FlixBus is launching a Glasgow–Edinburgh bus route from 7 July, with multiple new stops designed to make travel even more convenient for local passengers

FlixBus launches new multi-stop bus service between Glasgow and Edinburgh

FlixBus is launching a Glasgow–Edinburgh bus route from 7 July, with multiple new stops designed to make travel even more convenient for local passengers.

www.glasgowworld.com

FlixBus is announcing the launch of a new multi-stop bus service between Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Full route stop list: Glasgow’s Buchanan Bus Station, Newhouse Park and Ride, Harthill Services, Livingston Deer Park, Ratho Station, Ingliston Park and Ride, Corstorphine Drum Brae, Edinburgh Zoo, Haymarket Station, Edinburgh Princes Street, and Edinburgh Bus Station.

Departing every 30 – 35 minutes throughout the day between Edinburgh Bus Station and Glasgow Buchanan Bus Station, the route will launch on Monday, 7 July.

In addition to its two city centre stops, the route will connect key locations including Livingston, Harthill, and Edinburgh's West End, offering passengers more convenient travel options.

 

[markymark2000]

I am not sure what they can expand on in Scotland to be fair.

I think there are a few expansion opportunities within Scotland but purely Scottish routes, I think the opportunities are coach/ferry combinations to provide a more seamless journey for passengers (and not least because the model wouldn't work like Citylink where Citylink wait for ferries, Flix doesn't have the customer service skills for that, they would just drive off and tell the ferry passengers that they should have been at the stop earlier).

Otherwise, I think the opportunities could be over to Belfast (maybe combine a Glasgow - Dublin via Belfast route so not only compete with Hannon but also get a footing with Belfast to Dublin which seems to be a thriving market). Possibly something to Blackpool as Citylink only operate on random dates and the various other Scotland-Blackpool coaches force you to stay in their accommodation and don't seem to do 'coach only'.
You've perhaps got potential to boost Glasgow/Edinburgh to Birmingham to enable the 030 to be sped up.

FlixBus is launching a Glasgow–Edinburgh bus route from 7 July, with multiple new stops designed to make travel even more convenient for local passengers

FlixBus launches new multi-stop bus service between Glasgow and Edinburgh

FlixBus is launching a Glasgow–Edinburgh bus route from 7 July, with multiple new stops designed to make travel even more convenient for local passengers.

www.glasgowworld.com

Somewhat surprised to hear that they have registered the 090 as this locks them into registration periods for amending the service and Flix tend to want things to be quite flexible. On the plus side though, you can now travel locally which may help them to gain some passengers on the Livingston to Edinburgh market as well as some odd passengers travelling locally within Edinburgh (though with fares being around £5 single even for local travel in Edinburgh, I can't see them having any fare payers, certainly not if said fare payers have any sense). It will be interesting to see how this is registered too since if the registration is split at Harthill, it would enable McGills to run drivers on 'domestic' rules rather than tacho rules.

The new 090 service will comprise of 35 end to end journeys (of which 6 will call at Ingliston P&R towards Edinburgh in the morning or towards Glasgow in the evening), plus 4 short Livingston-Edinburgh trips and 3 short Livingston-Glasgow trips, both covering dead mileage at the start/end of the day.

 

[Volvodart]

Somewhat surprised to hear that they have registered the 090 as this locks them into registration periods for amending the service and Flix tend to want things to be quite flexible. On the plus side though, you can now travel locally which may help them to gain some passengers on the Livingston to Edinburgh market as well as some odd passengers travelling locally within Edinburgh (though with fares being around £5 single even for local travel in Edinburgh, I can't see them having any fare payers, certainly not if said fare payers have any sense). It will be interesting to see how this is registered too since if the registration is split at Harthill, it would enable McGills to run drivers on 'domestic' rules rather than tacho rules.

The new 090 service will comprise of 35 end to end journeys (of which 6 will call at Ingliston P&R towards Edinburgh in the morning or towards Glasgow in the evening), plus 4 short Livingston-Edinburgh trips and 3 short Livingston-Glasgow trips, both covering dead mileage at the start/end of the day.

Ember are opening a base in Livingston later this year, so that may have been a consideration.

 

[Porty]

I think there are a few expansion opportunities within Scotland but purely Scottish routes, I think the opportunities are coach/ferry combinations to provide a more seamless journey for passengers (and not least because the model wouldn't work like Citylink where Citylink wait for ferries, Flix doesn't have the customer service skills for that, they would just drive off and tell the ferry passengers that they should have been at the stop earlier).

Otherwise, I think the opportunities could be over to Belfast (maybe combine a Glasgow - Dublin via Belfast route so not only compete with Hannon but also get a footing with Belfast to Dublin which seems to be a thriving market). Possibly something to Blackpool as Citylink only operate on random dates and the various other Scotland-Blackpool coaches force you to stay in their accommodation and don't seem to do 'coach only'.
You've perhaps got potential to boost Glasgow/Edinburgh to Birmingham to enable the 030 to be sped up.


Somewhat surprised to hear that they have registered the 090 as this locks them into registration periods for amending the service and Flix tend to want things to be quite flexible. On the plus side though, you can now travel locally which may help them to gain some passengers on the Livingston to Edinburgh market as well as some odd passengers travelling locally within Edinburgh (though with fares being around £5 single even for local travel in Edinburgh, I can't see them having any fare payers, certainly not if said fare payers have any sense). It will be interesting to see how this is registered too since if the registration is split at Harthill, it would enable McGills to run drivers on 'domestic' rules rather than tacho rules.

The new 090 service will comprise of 35 end to end journeys (of which 6 will call at Ingliston P&R towards Edinburgh in the morning or towards Glasgow in the evening), plus 4 short Livingston-Edinburgh trips and 3 short Livingston-Glasgow trips, both covering dead mileage at the start/end of the day.

Helpful summary. But am I right in thinking that it starts/terminates in Waterloo Place, not Edinburgh bus station. I must admit that the incorrect spelling of Princes Street on the app is really annoying - and gives a poor impression of quality and attention to detail.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 27 Jun 2025 ==

Helpful summary. But am I right in thinking that it starts/terminates in Waterloo Place, not Edinburgh bus station. I must admit that the incorrect spelling of Princes Street on the app is really annoying - and gives a poor impression of quality and attention to detail.

Correcting myself here as I see it's a Regent Road start point and also Princes Street (stop PU) and Haymarket westbound.

 

[markymark2000]

But am I right in thinking that it starts/terminates in Waterloo Place, not Edinburgh bus station. I must admit that the incorrect spelling of Princes Street on the app is really annoying - and gives a poor impression of quality and attention to detail.

Specifically on the 090, between 11am and 5pm, buses use Edinburgh Bus Station. At all other times, they use Regent Road outside the Scottish Government building. As of 7th July, after Regent Road/Bus Station the 090 will serve Princes Street and Haymarket. Similarly on the way back, the 090 will serve Haymarket and Princes Street then continue to Regent Road/Bus Station.

For the avoidance of any confusion, the 092, 094 and cross border services all run out of the bus station at all times.

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

Specifically on the 090, between 11am and 5pm, buses use Edinburgh Bus Station. At all other times, they use Regent Road outside the Scottish Government building. As of 7th July, after Regent Road/Bus Station the 090 will serve Princes Street and Haymarket. Similarly on the way back, the 090 will serve Haymarket and Princes Street then continue to Regent Road/Bus Station.

For the avoidance of any confusion, the 092, 094 and cross border services all run out of the bus station at all times.

Having a split end terminus like that can’t be ideal. All because Edinburgh Bus Station is woefully small.

 

[nick291]

FlixBus is launching a Glasgow–Edinburgh bus route from 7 July, with multiple new stops designed to make travel even more convenient for local passengers.

Reading up on that, I think I'll stick to the Citylink 900 or the train thankyou very much. I don't see this working in the long run, maybe the Livingston-Glasgow section but that's about it.

 

[LiviCrazy]

Reading up on that, I think I'll stick to the Citylink 900 or the train thankyou very much. I don't see this working in the long run, maybe the Livingston-Glasgow section but that's about it.

As I mentioned previously, I think this could have been used to offer a different connection than what Citylink already do. Come down the dual carriageway in Livingston serve the fast link stops then head along the A71 providing a fast link to the Colleges.

 

[overthewater]

I have to agree, they could have done something a bit different and grow the market overall. They should have come in via Hermiston Gait like they do now, it would have opened up so many new links. Instead they like everyone else I dare say they will fall by the wayside.

The only NEW stop they have created is the one at Newhouse Park and Ride, I wouldn't call it a park n ride.

 

[Trainman40083]

The Wellglade delivery of Yutong coaches started today, taxed from 1st July. 5 reported at Derby

 

[LiviCrazy]

I have to agree, they could have done something a bit different and grow the market overall. They should have come in via Hermiston Gait like they do now, it would have opened up so many new links. Instead they like everyone else I dare say they will fall by the wayside.

The only NEW stop they have created is the one at Newhouse Park and Ride, I wouldn't call it a park n ride.

I actually think they could have gone one better than what I said before. Along the A71, stop at Livingston Centre and Shin Etsu (Livingston Toll) then onto M8 from Starlaw (I actually see a few come along the A71 at the moment), it’s good that they are serving Livingston but Deer Park is quite far from 99% of the population of Livingston and there is no bus connections to there.

From my experience at Peak Times, the M8 between Hermiston Gait and Livingston is the most congested with if usually clearing up after J3A.

 

[nick291]

I have to agree, they could have done something a bit different and grow the market overall. They should have come in via Hermiston Gait like they do now, it would have opened up so many new links. Instead they like everyone else I dare say they will fall by the wayside.

The only NEW stop they have created is the one at Newhouse Park and Ride, I wouldn't call it a park n ride.

I would have routed it via Bo'ness/Falkirk/Cumbernauld. Untapped market no coach operator seems interested in trying out.

 

[henryb]

I was hearing from a driver yesterday that on the relatively regular routes, if pax number is low they will cancel it and put them onto the next one to save money.

 

[nick291]

I was hearing from a driver yesterday that on the relatively regular routes, if pax number is low they will cancel it and put them onto the next one to save money.

Could that be what happened to me then? Because my original journey for tomorrow was cancelled and I rebooked for the next available service.

 

[swinny1990]

Wellglade yutongs Gt12
920 YB25ULf
921 YB25ULG
922 YB25ULH
923 YB25ULJ
924 YB25ULK
925 YB25ULL
926 YB25ULM
927 YB25ULN
928 YB25ULO
929 YB25ULP

 

[henryb]

Could that be what happened to me then? Because my original journey for tomorrow was cancelled and I rebooked for the next available service.

Was it a wales - England service? I heard about it on Newport transport

 

[markymark2000]

Could that be what happened to me then? Because my original journey for tomorrow was cancelled and I rebooked for the next available service.

Depends on the service. Some cancellations are happening because Flixbus are stupidly optimistic with starting dates for journeys and operators keep kicking the can down the road last minute as they can't resource the expanded service.

Wellglade yutongs Gt12

I hope they are going to find another two to be spare (1 for each depot), or is the plan just to use existing TM Travel/Notts & Derby coaches when required?

 

[nick291]

Was it a wales - England service? I heard about it on Newport transport

Yes, the 940.

 

[nathanchansc]

FlixBus is launching a Glasgow–Edinburgh bus route from 7 July, with multiple new stops designed to make travel even more convenient for local passengers

FlixBus launches new multi-stop bus service between Glasgow and Edinburgh

FlixBus is launching a Glasgow–Edinburgh bus route from 7 July, with multiple new stops designed to make travel even more convenient for local passengers.

www.glasgowworld.com

I was surprised they opted for the same route as the 900 in Edinburgh, and also that they don't stop at Maybury. I was hoping they might consider along Maybury Road then Queensferry Road as there's no link to Glasgow over there and no train stations along there. I would've been benefited from that. Or at least consider Hermiston Gait/Gyle/A71.

But hopefully with the competition Citylink will not push the prices even higher. They have been keeping the same day return at £10 but single is now £10.50 (which is stupid), and open return £17.70, while 090 can be as cheap as £7.98.