FlixBus brand owner FlixMobility has further underscored its desire to achieve market leadership in the UK scheduled coach sector after a funding round successfully raised over US$650m in new finance.
Closure of the funding round heralds “a clear acceleration of strategy,” says FlixMobility. The finance will contribute to “future global expansion in existing and new markets” and permit the company to “double down” on growth plans.
Munich-headquartered FlixMobility is now valued at over US$3bn. It has established itself in the UK after a difficult start in 2020 and has already floated its desire to operate the country’s largest scheduled coach network by 2025. It uses several partner operators and has been seeking more.
In a bullish statement following completion of the funding round, FlixMobility Founder and CEO André Schwämmlein (pictured, centre) says: “We are now switching from defence to offence. Our clear goal is to become the leader in all markets in which we are present. This also applies to new markets such as the UK and Portugal or the US.”
FlixMobility also uses the FlixTrain brand in mainland Europe. Its US operation recently trialled FlixBus Premium Service on one route, which utilised coaches with 2+1 seating and an attendant serving complimentary snacks and drinks.