Flixbus, now in 3 provinces, wants to add Canada in view of the death of Greyhound

Four years after Greyhound’s sudden leave, a German company is banking on Canadian passengers, which is still very hungry for a good -old -fashioned bus.

Flixbus installed in Munich in 2013 provides low -cost bus service in a specific, bright green package. The company, which works in more than 40 countries, launched intercity bus trips across Europe and in 2018 entered the North American market with routes on the west coast of the US.

The company scored the Greyhound brand soon after leaving Canada in 2021. This began offering cross -border trips between the US and Canada, followed by domestic service in Canada in 2022. It doubled its Canadian mileage in this country every year.

Kai Boyson, CEO, CEO of Flix North America, said, “We are going to make Fluids Travel Top for anyone to plan a long journey in Canada.”

The company currently works in Ontario, Alberta and Suskechewan and it expects to add interprewinsial transit to Manitoba soon.

It is not the only company that sees the future for intercity bus trip. It is a long -term competition in western Canada. Ebus And Rider expressBoth say that they are also keeping their eyes open for expansion opportunities.

Nevertheless, a transport expert says that there are types of network types that can be created by the private sector. While businesses may be happy to offer service among large population centers, many rural and remote communities have still been cut off.

Toronto -based David Cooper said, “When it comes to seeing in some places you will need government support.”

Flixbus, for its share, said that it is open to work with various levels of the government to provide service in small communities, where it would not be otherwise commercially viable.

Uber for buses

A part of making flixbus unique is that it describes itself as a type of Uber for buses. The company provides technology to predict demand, schedule and pricing – but keeps the overhead costs low by relying on local partners to hiring drivers and to maintain fleet.

Boys, CEO, pitching Flexbus as an alternative to short-hall flights that are more convenient and subject to low delays. He wants to integrate the bus in passengers’ aircraft and train travel, by offering stops Via railway station And airports, to bring it into a position as an alternative to a rented car for the final stage of a trip.

One of these latest routes is a trip between the Calgary International Airport and Banff. While Boyson said that the company targets customers from all areas of life, most of the passengers of this journey were backpackers in their early twenty -seventh conditions who had chosen the bus for only one reason.

“We are like college students, so we can get the cheapest thing that we can do.”

More remote options require

Transportation Consultant Cooper said that Canada is still quite limited that intercity bus and train options are available. He thinks that this is a positive signal to add new routes to any companies.

But to serve more communities, they believe that allocating more funds for governments for regional transport in rural and remote areas, such as governments indicate programs. BC Bus North,

For Flixbus, the company soon expects to start offering domestic service in BC and Quebec, and from there, to connect the entire country to the east-west.

“Our vision is to be able to serve the entire Canada,” Boyson said.