FlixBus celebrates 7th birthday and announces further expansion

Munich, February 13, 2020 - FlixBus, whose very first ride departed on February 13, 2013, from Munich to Erlangen, celebrates its 7^th birthday today, February 13, 2020. Since the liberalization of the long-distance market in Germany seven years ago, the mobility provider has built the world’s largest long-distance bus network. In recent years, seven FlixTrains as well as the new products FlixCar and FlixCharter were added. Last year alone, FlixBus carried more than 62 million passengers. In 2020, the mobility provider is looking to set foot in new territories.

International expansion

“We are proud to celebrate our seventh birthday today and to be able to look back on numerous achievements throughout Europe and the US. But we have no intention to stop here: 2020 is full of ambitious plans.”, says André Schwämmlein, founder and CEO of FlixMobility.

Later this year, FlixBus is looking to set up domestic networks in the UK and in Portugal, and will launch further international connections at the same time. Additionally, the company starts its first cross-border connections to the Baltic countries and will add a new continent to the green network offering trips from France to Morocco. Furthermore, the new decade will bring even more ambitious expansion, with FlixBus entering South America and Asia.

Domestic travels in the United Kingdom

Since 2016, green buses have been running from France, Germany and the Benelux countries to the United Kingdom. By purchasing Megabus’ continental European business in the same year, including the cross-border lines to the UK, FlixBus strengthened its ties between the UK and mainland Europe. This year, the company is looking to increase frequencies on cross-border buses from France, the Benelux and Germany and to start its first British domestic connections.

Schwämmlein: “We see a tremendous interest of Britain to stay connected with Europe, the country is currently especially welcoming towards foreign investments. A domestic network is the next step towards a fully integrated offer for customers in the UK. We are looking at a very mature market for bus travels, thus we are excited to bring something new to the table – a smart and green product combined with the experience of traditional British SMEs.”

Adding the Baltic countries and starting domestically in Portugal

FlixBus started its first cross-border connections to Poland in 2016 and set up a domestic network in 2017. The success in the country led the team to decide on expanding further in the region. After successfully entering the Ukraine in 2019, the company is ready for the next step. In 2020 FlixBus aims to connect Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania via cross-border connections from Poland. The expansion to the Baltics will be managed by the team based in Warsaw, Poland.

In 2017 FlixBus started its operation in Portugal and created an international network connecting the country to more than 50 European destinations. Following the liberalization of the domestic market last year, FlixBus decided to launch a domestic network in 2020 and expand international connections at the same time. This network is set to connect more than 80 Portuguese cities. FlixBus has an office and a small team onsite in Lisbon.

First cross-border connections from France to Morocco

With first buses already departing on February 18, FlixBus is selling tickets for buses running from France to Morocco. Nine Moroccan cities including Marrakech, Rabat, Fes, Meknes, Tangiers and Casablanca will be directly connected to 27 French destinations. FlixBus travelers will be able to travel to Morocco from all over Europe with a stopover in any of the French cities connected to Morocco. These buses will be operated by CTM, a new local partner. CTM previously partnered with Eurolines France, whom FlixBus acquired in May 2019.

The new connections mark the company’s first steps into Africa, the fourth continent after adding the USA in 2018 and Turkey in 2019. Further expansion opportunities are being analyzed.