Flixbus Enter Ireland via Expressway and FlightLink Partnership

devnull

A new section has just been launched on Flixbus website listing a huge amount of stops in Ireland

https://www.flixbus.com/bus/ireland

No services are bookable, but it's noticeable that their bus stops in Dublin Airport reference zone 12, which is currently used by Bus Eireann Expressway, Dublin references Busaras and Galways references the Bus Eireann bus station.

Is there a deal in the offering between Bus Eireann and Flixbus?

L1011

Off the wall suggestion - buying Expressway?

devnull

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122209800#Comment_122209800

That obviously is something that springs to mind, but on the other hand, if that was happening you would have thought it would have been muted before now as I'm sure that the unions would have something to say.

If you go here:

https://www.flixbus.com/bus-routes

You can click on say a city such as Cork or Limerick on the map and it will show you all the stops accessible from there and you will notice that clicking say Cork and Limerick gives very similar network to Expressway, and you'll notice if you click Dublin as a starting point, it also doesn't show services to Galway, Limerick or Cork, which again, mirrors the Expressway network which no longer services these places from Dublin.

It may just be a simple arrangement on the cards where people can buy tickets for Expressway services from Flixbus or a possible rebranding of the service to Flixbus that Bus Eireann operates on behalf of Flixbus, as these are two approaches that Flixbus has taken in other countries.

Vic_08

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122209800#Comment_122209800

Flixbus's MO is to use local operators not run buses themselves so that would be very unlikely, they prefer to just cream a profit off running a website.

Buying the Greyhound operation in the US being a big exception, I suspect that just like First before them they will end up regretting that.

crushproof

They're rapidly expanding in the UK with plenty of new partnerships so it wouldn't surprise me to see their green buses on the roads of Ireland in the next couple of years. Certainly looks like they'll be entering an arrangement with Expressway.

p_haugh

And now it's official!

https://fixupx.com/flixbus_uk/status/1821581570932887843

Looks to be a ticket only offering for expressway and flight link services.

extra-ordinary_

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122485807#Comment_122485807

Dhuit surely no?

devnull

From Route One Magazine in the UK

FlixBus enters Ireland in Expressway and Flightlink collaboration

https://www.route-one.net/news/flixbus-enters-ireland-in-expressway-and-flightlink-collaboration

FlixBus has added the Republic of Ireland to its scheduled coach network via collaboration with local operators Expressway – part of Bus Éireann – and Flightlink.

Tickets for those businesses’ services capturing around 150 destinations in Ireland will be sold by FlixBus channels. 14 Expressway routes fall within the partnership, capturing the country’s major cities of Cork, Dublin, Galway, Limerick, and Waterford.

Expressway services between Ireland and the UK also form part of the agreement, with the route serving Dublin, Birmingham and London using the Dublin to Holyhead ferry giving scope for FlixBus to retail international journeys to and from Ireland.

Tickets for the venture with Expressway and Flightlink went on sale on 8 August. Flightlink services via the FlixBus platform deliver direct services between Dublin Airport and cities including Ennis, Killarney and Limerick.

Speaking about the collaboration, FlixBus UK Managing Director Andreas Schörling says: “We are delighted to bring Irish routes to our extensive global network, allowing travellers to book via our convenient booking platform in 44 countries and four continents.”

Head of Expressway Andrew Yates adds that the state-owned operator is pleased to partner with FlixBus. It “is a very exciting project that enables us to promote tourism to Ireland to a global market, particularly bringing our brand to Europe through the Flix booking platform,” he notes.

Flightlink was launched around a year ago. Founder and CEO David Conway comments: “We are delighted to grow the visibility of our coach services, providing tickets to an audience we simply could not have reached otherwise.”

Also I didn't realise that David Conway was heading up FlightLink, having being at the helm of CityLink for a good while.

zell12

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122485807#Comment_122485807

Nice. Galway to Dublin Airport goes via ..Ballina

Cork to Dublin Airport goes via ..Waterford

devnull

That's because Expressway or FlightLink don't offer direct services on those routes, so Flixbus is simply offering what is possible using services provided by those operators.

mickmmc

What about branding and livery?

Will Expressway livery change to Flixbus green?

With regard to the 871 Service - Dublin - Birmingham-London, I wonder what changes there will be with regard to National Express, if any. The 871 Service has gone twice weekly since July. You could have a Flixbus, Expressway, and National Express/Eurolines stickers on the Bernard Kavanagh Coach operated Coach.

The 871 services uses National Express Digbeth Coach Station in Birmingham (exclusive National Express Station only, as far as I know). That is an important stop from what I have seen, from a loadings points point of view.

Flixbus has slots in Victoria Station in London and that should not be a problem, if there is any change with regard to National Express involvement in the 871 service.

john boye

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122486716#Comment_122486716

It's basically just a code share

p_haugh

Interestingly, Flixbus thinks you can get on the 871 at Dublin Port, which definately is not the case! I also dont think it stops at London Bridge….