2018: FlixMobility Becomes World’s Largest-Reaching Bus Provider

After another year of rapid growth, FlixMobility has become the largest bus provider in the world in terms of network reach, connecting people across 29 countries with over 350,000 daily connections in Europe and the United States, a 40 percent year-over-year connection increase. Additionally, in 2018 the company launched FlixTrain in Germany to complement the existing bus network as well as the first ever all-electric bus on long distance routes in France and Germany, coupled with multiple market expansions, innovation rollouts and more.

“While we are only five years into writing FlixMobility history, each year we push the envelope farther,” said André Schwämmlein, founder and CEO of FlixMobility. “In the last year alone, we brought our services across the ocean in the United States, we launched green FlixTrains on tracks in Germany, we put the first all-electric bus on long-distance routes in France and then Germany, we started national networks in Poland, Sweden and domestic connections in Belgium and Switzerland and launched countless innovations inside our buses and trains. We look forward to keeping up this pace with our great – and growing – team in 2019.”

A Year of Innovation

Thanks to a unique business model in which FlixMobility handles the technology development, network planning, yield management, operations control and marketing while SME partners manage the day-to-day operations of the bus and train fleets, FlixBus continues to focus on innovating the traditional transportation landscape. In 2018 alone, FlixMobility launched integrations with Apple Pay, Google Pay and Google Assistant, brought free onboard virtual reality to buses in and out of Las Vegas and rolled out in-house tech creations such as seat reservations and the “Where’s My Bus?” live tracking feature.

In addition to innovation inside the bus, FlixMobility launched two additional products: FlixTrain in Germany and the first ever e-buses on long-distance routes in France and Germany. These products complement the existing FlixBus network, allowing for even more Flix travel options.

Network Launches and Expansions

In terms of network, FlixMobility took a big step in 2018 with the launch of routes throughout the SouthWest United States, managed by a new office headquartered in Los Angeles. Routes began in May with service to 27 destinations including Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Phoenix and Tucson, and the network quickly doubled with expansion throughout central California and the San Francisco Bay area. In 2019, this expansion will continue with FlixBus USA launches in Texas and the northeast from New York City, where FlixMobility opened a new office.

The product offer also grew throughout Europe, with launches in Belarus, new domestic connections in Belgium and Switzerland, new national networks in Poland and Sweden, the doubling of the FlixBus network in the Benelux region and added connections throughout all European countries in which FlixBus is currently present.

A Growing FlixTeam

The rapid growth of FlixMobility is due in great part to a large and growing team across the world. Approximately 1,500 employees work for FlixBus and FlixTrain within 16 offices in 14 countries. By working with employees on the ground within FlixBus markets, the company is able to consistently adapt to both the market and local customer needs.

In addition to employees, FlixMobility works with 300 partners who employ more than 7,000 FlixBus and FlixTrain drivers. In total, these individuals have helped more than 100 million passengers reach their destinations since FlixBus launched with only a few routes in Germany in 2013.

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