Belle Vue expands partnership with FlixBus

Stockport-based coach operator, Belle Vue Manchester, is expanding its partnership with express coach network FlixBus to launch three new routes.

Belle Vue will run daily services between Manchester and York, Birmingham and Leicester from Spring 2024 as it expands its operations in the express coach sector.

The new services build on Belle Vue’s existing partnership with FlixBus. The coach operator has since April 2023 run cross-country services between Manchester and Leeds, Middlesborough, Sunderland and Newcastle-upon-Tyne. The route’s success has been recognised with high customer satisfaction ratings and is shortlisted for the best express coach service accolade at December’s UK Bus Awards.

Belle Vue will add five new Yutong vehicles (pictured, photo supplied by Yutong) to the FlixBus network in line with its expansion. Two of these will run on the existing Newcastle services, and the others will operate on the new routes. The Manchester hub for Belle Vue’s FlixBus services is Shudehill Interchange in the city centre.

Belle Vue’s Managing director Phil Hitchen said:

“The strength of our partnership with the FlixBus team is unmatched, and we have been keen to expand our relationship with them based on the excellent results we’ve seen so far.

“There is a revolution in express coach services happening with FlixBus here in the UK, and it’s exciting to be part of the forward-thinking brand shaping the future of the industry.”

Travel tech company FlixBus launched its eye-catching green coach service in the UK market in 2021 and now serves over 60 destinations nationwide, as well as regular coaches into continental Europe, with its fleet is managed by long-term bus operator partners.  

FlixBus UK’s managing director Andreas Schorling said:

“Belle Vue has delivered exceptional quality on our network, alongside an entrepreneurial and ambitious approach from Phil and the entire team. We are delighted to expand our partnership and are looking forward to working together for decades to come.

“FlixBus sets out to build partnerships that last and we are delighted that as a key operator, Belle Vue is keen to expand with us, and drive forward our mission to become the largest express coach network in the UK.”

He added:

“One of our core values is the democratisation of transport, and we are passionate about bringing our coach services to every corner of the country. We want to ensure as many passengers as possible benefit from our sustainable, affordable network to travel through the midlands and north of England.”