FlixBus, a Europe-wide provider of long-distance bus routes, will take over the business of megabus.com in continental Europe and integrates it into its international network. Within the EU, Megabus.com currently operates networks in Germany, Italy, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, and scheduled services to Great Britain.
Through this acquisition, the company, which was originally founded as a startup in Munich, further expands its position as Europe's market leader. The acquisition was signed on June 28, 2016, and takes effect on Friday, July 1, 2016. megabus.com is part of Stagecoach Group, one of the largest transport companies in the UK, USA and Canada.
FlixBus strengthens market leadership position in Europe
FlixBus founder Daniel Krauss explains in conversation with Munich Startup, one hopes
“to further strengthen our market leadership in Europe and to further consolidate the long-distance coach market in the newer long-distance coach countries such as Italy and France.”
With the Stagecoach Group, they know they have a strong operational partner at their side. The collaboration should result in synergies, said Krauss, and they hope
"that we can complement this strong operational team with our network planning, sales, and IT expertise to anchor the Flix experience even more firmly in Europe and improve quality."
“Smart mobility to discover the world”
FlixBus offers Europe-wide long-distance bus routes in 19 countries, as well as domestic networks in Germany, Austria, France, Italy, and the Netherlands. Launched in 2013 with the liberalization of the German market, the former startup is now the largest long-distance bus provider in Europe, with around 100,000 daily connections and 20 million users per year.
With new cross-border routes to the CEE region, the FlixBus network will also be expanded to 900 destinations in 20 countries by the end of July. André Schwämmlein, FlixBus founder and managing director:
“Our vision is green and smart mobility to discover the world.”
