Flixbus Discussion

[318266]

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.

I always use the brilliant yet never really used anymore bikehike website for such purposes. It says the crow distance is 13.56 miles, which means it would have to be a local service.
Other pairings therefore not included are Livingston-Harthill, Edinburgh-Ingliston, Ingliston-Halbeath and Halbeath-Edinburgh (which I've done a few times with no question asked!).

 

[route101]

I used the Flixbus 090 service from Glasgow to Edinburgh and it had a fairly decent loading, 45%. One niggle of the 090 is its only stop in Edinburgh is the last stop. It would be handy if it stopped on Princes St.

 

[Deerfold]

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

What rule?

 

[darloscott]

What rule?

Drivers under 21 weren’t allowed to go more than 50km from their base. I’m sure that’s been scrapped now though?

 

[Deerfold]

Drivers under 21 weren’t allowed to go more than 50km from their base. I’m sure that’s been scrapped now though?

Looks like there was a suggestion of getting rid of it. Can't find any confirmation they did, though.

New proposals just the ticket for getting young people into transport

Proposals could improve job opportunities for people aged 18 to 20, ease driver shortages and provide more reliable bus and coach services across Great Britain.

www.gov.uk

Today (11 April 2024), Roads Minister Guy Opperman has launched a consultation to remove a restriction that currently states that 18 to 20-year-old bus and coach drivers can only drive routes up to 50km.

 

[richw]

Drivers under 21 weren’t allowed to go more than 50km from their base. I’m sure that’s been scrapped now though?

Still at consultation stage, whether it proceeds is anyone’s guess as it was a Tory government initiated consultation.

 

[Cesarcollie]

Still at consultation stage, whether it proceeds is anyone’s guess as it was a Tory government initiated consultation.

consultation closed, no outcome yet. The rule is not 50km from base - it is a restriction which confines u21 to driving regular services with a maximum route length of 50km (so equivalent to those covered by domestic hours regs).

 

[richw]

consultation closed, no outcome yet. The rule is not 50km from base - it is a restriction which confines u21 to driving regular services with a maximum route length of 50km (so equivalent to those covered by domestic hours regs).

It’s 50km from base according to the western traffic commissioner. See stagecoach southwest’s public inquiry outcome relating to the overturned Gold bus with an 18 year old driver a few years ago. The inquiry report is very clear that the driver shouldn’t have been driving the route as it went over 50km from his base.

However I’d sway to agree with you on the wording as it says “routes not exceeding 50km” in DVSA leaflet INF52.

 

[joieman]

It’s 50km from base according to the western traffic commissioner.

What if the base is about halfway through the route?

 

[Spsf3232]

What if the base is about halfway through the route?

I think there's some confusion coming into it between the 50km local service registration and requirement for tachographs.

Drivers under 21 are confined to 50km radius of base. They can't operate split registered routes or routes that are over 50km outside the radius.

Not sure why websites are showing conflicting information especially from official sources

 

[richw]

Drivers under 21 are confined to 50km radius of base. They can't operate split registered routes or routes that are over 50km outside the radius.

This has always been my understanding but leaflet INF52’s wording confuses the matter

 

[Parebunks]

Flixbus reported as moving to Leeds Bus Station from next week, from the current on-street stop. Seems like a fairly unambiguously positive move, and fairly impressive that it's starting from Monday - I assume it's likely to be from the low-numbered bays on the 'bus' side as with Megabus? Looks like Flixbus have been after this for a while - fair enough as it seems like common sense, so I do wonder what was holding it up previously.

FlixBus will begin operating from the bus station from next Monday (October 28) and will no longer have buses using the previous departure point on Crown Point Road.

 

[markymark2000]

Flixbus reported as moving to Leeds Bus Station from next week, from the current on-street stop. Seems like a fairly unambiguously positive move, and fairly impressive that it's starting from Monday - I assume it's likely to be from the low-numbered bays on the 'bus' side as with Megabus? Looks like Flixbus have been after this for a while - fair enough as it seems like common sense, so I do wonder what was holding it up previously.

Moving into Stand 1 I believe. Supposedly made possible thanks to Megabus' reduced service.

Night buses going off the stands just outside as per Megabus. N601 (Amsterdam) however will be going off Kirkgate again. Not sure why this service can't be accommodated given it's using a normal UK coach (not european one with the doors on the wrong side) but that's the current state of play for Flixbus in Leeds.

 

[Three_Counties]

The reason for the N601 being excluded from City Bus Station at Leeds is due to its inconsistent timetable and only fixed 10 minute slots being issued at the Bus Station.

Interestingly the stop outside the Bus Station, "Cultural stop C" is plated as "No stopping except local buses 5am to midnight and taxis midnight to 5am" and of course Flix services meet neither description.

Not being local bus services is also why one cannot buy a ticket between Bradford and Leeds on Flix services.

 

[henryb]

FlixBus launch with Firstbus. Will be interesting to see in Taunton as they already operate with Berry’s coaches… brand new Yutongs ordered as well

 

[markymark2000]

First Bus signs five-year partnership deal with FlixBus to launch new UK coach services | Flixbus

www.flixbus.co.uk

First Bus signs five-year partnership deal with FlixBus to launch new UK coach services​

05/11/2024
First Bus, one of the UK’s leading bus operators and global travel tech company FlixBus today announce a new five-year partnership, bringing eight new or expanded FlixBus coach routes across the UK next year - another move that signals First Bus’ commitment to growing the business and diversifying its services.
The diversification and growth opportunity comes from FlixBus, a brand which has already provided over five million passengers with affordable, sustainable coach travel since its launch in the UK in 2021.
The fast-growing company will double its UK network size by the end of summer of 2025, with over 200 FlixBus vehicles on the road, operated by its high-quality partners.
The addition of First Bus will significantly boost FlixBus' daily services across the South-West of England and expand routes in northern cities including Leeds, Manchester, and Newcastle. First Bus depots in Bath, Bristol, Slough, Taunton, Truro, Weston-super-Mare and in Yorkshire will operate services.

Andrew Jarvis, Chief Operating Officer for First Bus comments: “The new partnership with FlixBus marks another significant milestone in growing the First Bus B2B operation and we’re excited to serve further regions in the UK, helping to make longer distance travel easier.
“This new contract will create around 70 jobs and strengthen our national footprint as we renew our presence in the contract express coach market segment.’

Andreas Schorling, FlixBus Managing Director UK comments: “Three years ago we set out to be the market leader in the UK. We’ve experienced unprecedented passenger demand and strong commercial success, and, as we onboard operators like First Bus, market leadership is becoming inevitable.
“This is a golden era for coach travel where new modern, comfortable vehicles provide an enjoyable experience that passengers love. This is a renaissance for coach travel, and we see record numbers of people trying and returning to FlixBus.”

FlixBus and First Bus will make significant investments in the partnership, with FlixBus continuing to increase brand engagement and awareness of the new services.
As part of the investment in the partnership, First Bus is purchasing 21 Yutong GT12 express coaches, with plans to recruit 65 new drivers across seven First Bus depots in three regions. A dedicated manager and supervisor will oversee the operations, boosting employment opportunities in those regions.
The new routes span across the country and will launch from spring 2025. Under the contract, First Bus will provide staff, all vehicle-related requirements and service delivery. FlixBus will provide the platform for passengers, offering value for money, and best-in-class customer experience. The coaches will be branded in the full FlixBus livery, including uniform for the drivers.
Coach travel plays an essential role in the economy: according to a KPMG report commissioned by the Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT), coach services have a multi-billion-pound economic impact on the UK, with one additional coach visiting a destination daily generating £1 million in economic value yearly[1].
[1] https://www.cpt-uk.org/news/economic-impacts-of-coach-services-report/

There is a photo going around of internal comms at First Bus which gives some more details.

Spoiler: Internal comms photo

In short, 21 Yutong coaches. Routes start between April and July 2025 on the following routes.
London to Bristol (presumably 041) which will be ran by Bristol and Slough depots.
London to Bath (new route) which will be ran out of Bath depot
London to Plymouth (presume 045) which will run out of Bristol
London to Cornwall (new route or maybe returning 045) which will run out of Truro and Taunton depots
London - Weston Super Mare (new route) which will be ran out of WSM depot
Bristol - Leeds (presume 070) which will be operated by Bristol and possibly a Yorkshire depot
Bristol - Manchester (presume 071) which will be operated by Bristol
Bristol - Newcastle (presume 078) which will be operated by Bristol

It has been roumered a lot in the Flixbus groups that Berrys are looking to withdraw from the network and so there is a possibility that First will merely replace Berrys on the 045/078 services. Otherwise, I think it will be interesting to see how they expand into Cornwall as I believe that the 045 was sometimes busy when it extended last summer however I doubt they will be able to compete with NatEx who seem to try and serve every town in Cornwall. London to Bath will be interesting and Weston Super Mare I presume will just be like NatEx 040 which is a Bristol trip which extends to Weston. Cross country services though will be very welcome, it's one area that Flix is majorly lacking. Hopefully some interesting timetable increases coming. One thing I find interesting though with First is that they are running trips from 3 nearby depots. Given tachograph rules and maintenance, I am not sure if personally I would run out of Bath and WSM when instead the buses could just run out of Bristol and absorb the dead mileage. Hopefully it goes well for them though.

 

[Simon75]

First Bus signs five-year partnership deal with FlixBus to launch new UK coach services | Flixbus

www.flixbus.co.uk

There is a photo going around of internal comms at First Bus which gives some more details.

Spoiler: Internal comms photo

In short, 21 Yutong coaches. Routes start between April and July 2025 on the following routes.
London to Bristol (presumably 041) which will be ran by Bristol and Slough depots.
London to Bath (new route) which will be ran out of Bath depot
London to Plymouth (presume 045) which will run out of Bristol
London to Cornwall (new route or maybe returning 045) which will run out of Truro and Taunton depots
London - Weston Super Mare (new route) which will be ran out of WSM depot
Bristol - Leeds (presume 070) which will be operated by Bristol and possibly a Yorkshire depot
Bristol - Manchester (presume 071) which will be operated by Bristol
Bristol - Newcastle (presume 078) which will be operated by Bristol

It has been roumered a lot in the Flixbus groups that Berrys are looking to withdraw from the network and so there is a possibility that First will merely replace Berrys on the 045/078 services. Otherwise, I think it will be interesting to see how they expand into Cornwall as I believe that the 045 was sometimes busy when it extended last summer however I doubt they will be able to compete with NatEx who seem to try and serve every town in Cornwall. London to Bath will be interesting and Weston Super Mare I presume will just be like NatEx 040 which is a Bristol trip which extends to Weston. Cross country services though will be very welcome, it's one area that Flix is majorly lacking. Hopefully some interesting timetable increases coming. One thing I find interesting though with First is that they are running trips from 3 nearby depots. Given tachograph rules and maintenance, I am not sure if personally I would run out of Bath and WSM when instead the buses could just run out of Bristol and absorb the dead mileage. Hopefully it goes well for them though.

I'm surprised they don't make use of The Potteries (Stoke-on-Trent) /Leicester depots, as some routes they run close?

 

[nick291]

First Bus signs five-year partnership deal with FlixBus to launch new UK coach services | Flixbus

www.flixbus.co.uk

There is a photo going around of internal comms at First Bus which gives some more details.

Spoiler: Internal comms photo

In short, 21 Yutong coaches. Routes start between April and July 2025 on the following routes.
London to Bristol (presumably 041) which will be ran by Bristol and Slough depots.
London to Bath (new route) which will be ran out of Bath depot
London to Plymouth (presume 045) which will run out of Bristol
London to Cornwall (new route or maybe returning 045) which will run out of Truro and Taunton depots
London - Weston Super Mare (new route) which will be ran out of WSM depot
Bristol - Leeds (presume 070) which will be operated by Bristol and possibly a Yorkshire depot
Bristol - Manchester (presume 071) which will be operated by Bristol
Bristol - Newcastle (presume 078) which will be operated by Bristol

It has been roumered a lot in the Flixbus groups that Berrys are looking to withdraw from the network and so there is a possibility that First will merely replace Berrys on the 045/078 services. Otherwise, I think it will be interesting to see how they expand into Cornwall as I believe that the 045 was sometimes busy when it extended last summer however I doubt they will be able to compete with NatEx who seem to try and serve every town in Cornwall. London to Bath will be interesting and Weston Super Mare I presume will just be like NatEx 040 which is a Bristol trip which extends to Weston. Cross country services though will be very welcome, it's one area that Flix is majorly lacking. Hopefully some interesting timetable increases coming. One thing I find interesting though with First is that they are running trips from 3 nearby depots. Given tachograph rules and maintenance, I am not sure if personally I would run out of Bath and WSM when instead the buses could just run out of Bristol and absorb the dead mileage. Hopefully it goes well for them though.

I definitely didn't see that coming. Reminds me when they ran NX stuff but all out of Malborough Street/Lawrence Hill. Also a bit of Irony considering First Sold Greyhound to Flixbus

 

[markymark2000]

I'm surprised they don't make use of The Potteries (Stoke-on-Trent) /Leicester depots, as some routes they run close?

Stoke has limited potential. The passenger numbers aren't really there and it's too far north to be a useful driver swap place.

Leicester has strong potential but depends on if the depot is sorted out now. Aircoach drivers were telling me that there were difficulties in the depot because the depot staff didn't understand tachograph driving hours (you need to show walkaround checks, you can't drive as long and you'd need longer breaks etc) and how they were insisting on risk assessing every single possible diversion route because it's First Group policy to risk assess all diversions etc. Works with local service but any sort of distance work where you can encounter multiple diversions, especially at night, it just wasn't practical. I heard from a few drivers that it was causing issues in the depot. That's before you look at, does Leicester have any space for coaches with all of the work that they have had done there?
(Aircoach is off topic, I know but I am using it just to explain the issues with involving Leicester)

 

[henryb]

What’s the difference between bold/not bold routes / depots

 

[Temple Meads]

What’s the difference between bold/not bold routes / depots

I think that communication was intended for West of England staff so is highlighting their depots.

 

[YorkRailFan]

Wouldn't surprise me if York Pullman were to operate some of the Yorkshire services. Does anyone know if this is the case?

 

[David M]

Why not just be honest and say across England?

 

[Mwanesh]

I'm surprised they don't make use of The Potteries (Stoke-on-Trent) /Leicester depots, as some routes they run close?

Capacity do they have room in the depots .Bristol will be easy depends if the old team are still there .They used to tun the 040 years ago

 

[route101]

Last two Flixbus services I have been on with regards to seating have people mostly reserved in the back half of the coach. Was particularly noticeable on the 079 service, where there was no one ahead of the toilet!

 

[JonathanH]

Last two Flixbus services I have been on with regards to seating have people mostly reserved in the back half of the coach. Was particularly noticeable on the 079 service, where there was no one ahead of the toilet!

That probably means that relatively few people are paying for reservations. It seems that they put the more expensive seats at the front, and also that they fill unpaid reservations from the back. I keep on ending up on the back row on the journeys I make, which isn't always ideal.

 

[route101]

That probably means that relatively few people are paying for reservations. It seems that they put the more expensive seats at the front, and also that they fill unpaid reservations from the back. I keep on ending up on the back row on the journeys I make, which isn't always ideal.

Do Flixbus randomly allocate a seat if you don't reserve a seat?

 

[JonathanH]

Do Flixbus randomly allocate a seat if you don't reserve a seat?

Yes, certainly on the English routes I have travelled on. Not sure random is the right term though, seems systematic to me.

 

[nick291]

Capacity do they have room in the depots .Bristol will be easy depends if the old team are still there .They used to tun the 040 years ago

A lot went to South Glos/Edwards

 

[Flange Squeal]

Wellglade have announced that they are expecting nine Yutong GT12 coaches in Spring 2025 for Flixbus work. A news bulletin reads:

Wellglade are excited to announce a new venture with Flixbus.

As part of the investment. 9 Yutong GT12 express coaches will join the fleet in Spring 2025.

The diversification of the business will complement the group's activity but will be managed as a separate entity and represents a new chapter and a long-term investment in our company's growth.

This collaboration comes on the heels of the recent FlixBus's partnership announcement and is part of a broader expansion strategy which will see hundreds of FlixBus green vehicles on the UK's roads by the end of 2025.