Volvo Buses
UNITED KINGDOM & IRELAND
Initial vehicles are being rolled out on a new FlixBus route running twice daily from Edinburgh to Aberdeen, via Dundee, Dunfermline, and Perth, whilst FlixBus’ existing Glasgow to Aberdeen service, via Stirling, Perth, and Dundee, is extending from four to seven times a day, in response to strong passenger demand.
Volvo Buses is supplying the new coaches between now and the end of June, with the next tranche to be deployed on further new routes across Scotland, directly supporting the company’s plans to build the largest intercity coach network in the UK.
Andreas Schörling, Managing Director of FlixBus UK, says: “Thanks to phenomenal demand, we saw passengers increase 190 per cent in Q1 2023, compared to 2022. We will double our network by summer, and in Scotland we are increasing our services five-fold.
“Customers know when they make a booking with FlixBus that they’ll be travelling in a modern vehicle, with great drivers trained to the highest standards. The Volvo 9700 coaches deliver a fantastic experience for our passengers, with generous seat space, free on-board Wi-Fi and in-seat charging as standard.”
Operating the new routes is McGill’s, the UK’s largest independent bus operator, with CEO Ralph Roberts confident the Volvo 9700 is the perfect vehicle to ensure long-term reliability on demanding, high-mileage intercity work.
Roberts says: “We looked at the full package – the product, the specification, and the aftermarket support available from the Volvo dealer network – and there was a genuine commitment from the manufacturer to deliver a first class experience for both us as an operator, and for our passengers too.
“The Volvo dealer network is very strong across the UK, giving us the peace of mind that should we need it, we have experienced support teams who know the product spread nationwide.”
Domenico Bondi, Managing Director of Volvo Bus UK & Ireland, adds: “FlixBus demands exceptionally high standards from its partners, and it’s this focus on quality which has driven the brand’s rapid growth across Europe.
“McGill’s and FlixBus have first-hand experience running the 9700 on its service from Glasgow to London and the product has been performing brilliantly. It’s this real-world experience which helped to secure the ‘tripartite’ agreement for the supply of these vehicles, and we look forward to seeing continuing positive growth in our relationship.”
The relationship between FlixBus and Volvo Buses is further supported by a cooperation agreement signed in May 2022 which enables the company to supply coaches to FlixBus’ partner network across Europe. This now provides more than 400,000 daily connections to over 3,000 destinations, spanning 25 different countries.
Volvo Buses secured this cooperation agreement on the back of its shared values around sustainable travel and its ability to supply premium coaches which keep FlixBus customers returning.
For more information, please contact:
Andy Kunze, Service Market Director, Volvo Bus UK & Ireland
Mobile: 07831 268659
Email: andy.kunze@volvo.com