An extraordinary row has broken out between FlixBus and Stagecoach, with the newcomer threatening a complaint to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) against the UK’s largest bus operator over the allocation of stand space in Aberdeen bus station.
Stagecoach controls operations in the facility. FlixBus claims that its own bid for additional slots there to permit expansion of services with coaches operated by McGill’s Buses has been refused because of Stagecoach’s stake in FlixBus competitor Scottish Citylink.
The large group has angrily rebutted FlixBus’s allegations, describing statements by the green coach business as inaccurate. “The picture presented is misleading and does not reflect what is a safety and capacity issue,” a spokesperson for Stagecoach continues.
Stagecoach says that as manager of the facility, it has a responsibility to ensure that customers, staff and vehicles can move safely. “This means that we must monitor the capacity of the station and consider the impact on safety and traffic congestion when evaluating requests for additional departures,” it adds.
FlixBus claims that a health and safety assessment has not been made available by Stagecoach. FlixBus additionally alleges that it was told “without warning” on 24 April that no further slots in Aberdeen bus station were available.
That has been denied by Stagecoach, which says the two parties have been in negotiation over space since March and that they have previously had “detailed discussions about how [FlixBus’s] proposed journeys could be safely accommodated within the bus station.” That involved “suggested amendments” to proposed FlixBus schedules.
FlixBus now serves street stops in Aberdeen as it does not wish to operate some departures from within the bus station and others from outside. “This now sees passengers carrying suitcases and other luggage on the street, which is totally unacceptable,” the business complains. Stagecoach has responded by pointing to a dispute resolution policy.
FlixBus UK Managing Director Andreas Schorling says that Stagecoach’s control of the Aberdeen facility “is a glaring conflict of interests” with the group’s share in Scottish Citylink.
Prof Peter Watson of PBW Law, which is advising FlixBus, says he has told Stagecoach that a complaint will be submitted to CMA should the conflict not be “immediately resolved.” FlixBus has also threatened to involve Transport Minister Kevin Stewart in the row. Aberdeen bus station lies in Mr Stewart’s constituency.
Prof Watson claims that FlixBus is the victim of anticompetitive intent, which Stagecoach has vehemently denied.
“Our client has suffered loss and will continue to suffer loss as a direct result of Stagecoach’s actions. Our client considers [that] that situation requires, in the public interest, a full and open investigation by CMA,” he continues.
Also weighing in is McGill’s Buses CEO Ralph Roberts. “We cannot see a return to the day where a city is being treated as a person fiefdom,” Mr Roberts says. “We fully support the government in its green initiatives, and we all want to see more people choosing to travel by bus.” Stagecoach says it remains open to further discussions with FlixBus.
