Belle Vue expands partnership with FlixBus 

Stockport-based coach operator Belle Vue is expanding its partnership with the UK’s fastest-growing coach network FlixBus. 

Belle Vue will add three vehicles to the FlixBus network in 2024, offering additional coach services between Manchester and York, Birmingham and Leicester. 

Managing Director of FlixBus UK, 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.” 

Belle Vue’s partnership with travel tech leader Flix began in April of this year, delivering regular cross-country services between Manchester, Leeds, Middlesbrough, Sunderland and Newcastle upon Tyne. 

The success of the route, regularly achieving high customer satisfaction ratings, has been recognised by the industry, and shortlisted as Best Express Coach Service at the UK Bus Awards in late November. 

Belle Vue was recently accepted into the Guild of British Coach Operators, an elite body open only to companies which attain a 100 per cent rating in an independent audit of its operations. It is one of only 20 companies to gain membership in the guild. 

The award-winning provides branded transport to a wide customer base, serving the education and corporate sectors, private hire and touring groups, as well as express inter-city services with FlixBus. 

Managing Director of Belle Vue Phil Hitchen added: “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.” 

The coach operator, which launched in 1993, covers education and corporate transport, private hire and touring groups, will add three brand new FlixBus branded Yutong vehicles to its fleet in Spring 2024. 

“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,” concluded Schorling.