FlixBus has announced its latest operator partnership, teaming up with County Durham-based Stanley Travel to provide services on the rapidly expanding network from 25 May onwards.
Stanley Travel, which offers daily service between Newcastle, Leeds, Sunderland, Middlesbrough and Manchester, is the first DVSA Earned Recognition operator on the FlixBus network. It is also part of the Guild of British Coach Operators.
The operator was established in 1961 as a taxi firm and is now managed by its third generation of the Scott family. The company has focused on private hire and schools, colleges and sports teams contract work in recent years, having diversified during the pandemic.
Transport Manager Gavin Scott says: “We know the value of spreading risk, particularly after the COVID years. That’s what initially attracted us to FlixBus express work, offering another string to our bow in terms of revenue. The team at FlixBus truly listened to us and did everything to make this work for Stanley Travel as well as themselves.”
Helped by multiple operator partnerships, FlixBus recently announced a 190% increase in passenger volume in the first quarter of 2023 compared to the same period last year.
Andreas Schorling, Managing Director of FlixBus UK, says: “We are thrilled to welcome Stanley Travel to the FlixBus network. Their glowing reputation among the industry is well deserved, and we have seen their commitment to delivering excellence in operations through their accolades and achievements.
“Stanley already has strong relationships with some of our other key partners, and it’s fantastic to our network of operators supporting each other. We are building a team of ambitious quality-focused operators that share our vision of building the largest coach network in the UK.”
Gavin adds: “I see FlixBus as where Amazon were 10 years ago; anyone who got involved in the early stages is now reaping the rewards. The innovative technology behind FlixBus, which is unlike anything else we’ve seen in the industry, and their success within other markets.
“FlixBus has entered UK to stay, on a mission to overtake established market players. We are impressed by this vision and can see the rapid growth already delivering on their ambition.”
