Newport Transport will double its existing commitment to the FlixBus scheduled coach network by summer 2024.
Those efforts will see the delivery of seven new Yutong GT12 coaches and an uplift of 22 jobs at the municipal operator. A new route will be introduced between Swansea and Birmingham, and frequencies will be enhanced on existing provision between South Wales and Gatwick and Heathrow Airports.
The increased involvement for Newport Transport is based on what FlixBus UK says is a multi-year strategy between the two businesses. It follows a successful initial six months of working together along the M4 corridor.
Newport Transport Operations Director Morgan Stevens describes those first months as “fantastic,” noting that the operator was keen to expand its involvement with FlixBus.
Adds Mr Stevens: “We were new to the express coach market, but with FlixBus’s expertise and guidance, we have found a really strong additional revenue stream and diversified our business. We are proud to be offering Welsh cities even more high-quality transport options.”
FlixBus UK Managing Director Andreas Schorling says that the travel technology business has seen a “hugely successful” launch here. He has hinted that further new routes will be announced over coming months, describing the brand as “high growth.”
FlixBus has long stated its aim to operate the UK’s largest scheduled coach network, an aspiration underlined by Mr Schorling.
“We want to continue bringing services to the UK that customers want, and we are proud to forge new direct connections this year, between cities like Swansea and Birmingham,” he says. FlixBus currently serves more than 60 destinations in England, Scotland and Wales.
Newport Transport already has a strong investment in Yutong products via both its battery-electric bus fleet, and the first battery-electric coaches for Wales in the form of four TCe12s that are used by its general coaching arm.
