First Bus is the latest operator to sign up as a FlixBus partner. It will put 21 new Yutong GT12 coaches onto eight scheduled routes over the coming 12 months via a five-year partnership that the operator says will create 65 driver jobs.
Expansion into FlixBus work by First Bus is a further part of its growth strategy, the business says. That has already seen it complete multiple acquisitions of family-owned coach and bus operators, most recently Anderson Travel and Lakeside Group.
The FlixBus coaches will operate from First Bus depots in Bath, Bristol, Slough, Taunton, Truro, Weston-super-Mare and Yorkshire. The first will enter service in spring 2025.
Their deployment will “significantly boost” FlixBus provision in South West England – where First Bus already has the Truronian coach operation – and expand coverage in cities in Northern England such as Leeds, Manchester and Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
In addition to the driver recruitment exercise, a dedicated manager and a supervisor within First Bus will oversee the scheduled coaching operation. FlixBus says it will significantly invest in the new provision via brand engagement and awareness work.
Speaking about the collaboration, First Bus Chief Operating Officer Andrew Jarvis (pictured, left) says: “This new partnership with FlixBus marks another significant milestone in growing the First Bus B2B operation, and we are 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.”
FlixBus plans to double the size of its UK network by the close of summer 2025. It says that “over 200” of its green coaches will be on the road here by then.
Adds FlixBus UK Managing Director Andreas Schorling (pictured, right): “Three years ago we set out to be the market leader in the UK. We have 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.”
