Andre Schwammlein, co-founder of Flixbus, discusses his journey from wanting to be a pilot to revolutionizing the intercity travel industry. Learn about Flixbus' global growth, partnership with Greyhound, and future plans for expansion. Exciting insight into the success of this transport entrepreneur.
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Quick takeaways
Flixbus revolutionized intercity bus travel by combining technology with affordable prices and convenience, expanding globally and acquiring Greyhound.
Flixbus established itself as a prominent brand by building partnerships with bus operators, offering long-term commitments and shared risks.
Deep dives
Flixbus: Transforming Intercity Travel
Flixbus, a German startup, revolutionized intercity bus travel in Europe by combining modern technology with affordable prices and convenience. With its bright green buses and white logos, Flixbus quickly became ubiquitous on European motorways and expanded into other markets like Brazil, India, Chile, and Mexico. Unlike traditional transport companies, Flixbus does not own any buses. Instead, it acts as a supply-driven marketplace, defining the product, network, and prices. The company focuses on understanding customer demand and providing a seamless travel experience. Flixbus recently acquired Greyhound, one of the oldest and most recognized names in the US bus industry, opening up new opportunities for growth and expanding its global presence.
From Ambition to Startup Success
Flixbus was born out of the ambition of three friends in Germany who wanted to become entrepreneurs. They stumbled upon the deregulation of the bus market in Germany and saw an opportunity to bring an old industry into the digital age. After two years of pitching their idea to bus partners and investors, Flixbus launched its platform, connecting bus operators with customers. The founders' vision was not only to create a tech-driven business but also to build a robust partnership with bus operators. Flixbus offered a long-term commitment and shared risk with its partners, emphasizing the potential for a thriving business. Despite initial funding challenges, Flixbus gained traction, attracting millions of passengers and generating billions in revenue.
Global Expansion and the Future
Flixbus has set its sights on becoming a global travel brand, taking inspiration from companies like Airbnb and Uber. The company has successfully established itself as a prominent brand in Europe and aims to replicate this success in untapped markets, such as Brazil, Chile, India, and Asia. Flixbus's acquisition of Greyhound in the US provided access to a well-known brand and an extensive network, offering a unique combination of Flixbus's technological expertise and Greyhound's Pan-American reach. While Flixbus acknowledges that Greyhound currently holds more brand power in the US, the company is determined to strengthen the Flixbus brand globally and become a household name in the travel industry for generations to come.
Andre Schwammlein once wanted to be a pilot – but ended up behind the wheel of a bus and train company instead.
The chief executive and co-founder of Flix – the driving force behind Flixbus and Flixtrain - says he was never much of a traveller, but now leads a company that has changed the way millions of people cross countries and continents.
In just 10 years, Flixbus has gone from German startup to global brand - even taking a piece of American heritage: Greyhound.
In this edition of Business Daily, Theo Leggett finds out how the transport entrepreneur got started, the reasons behind the company’s success, and his plans for growth.
(Picture: André Schwämmlein. Credit: Getty Images)
Presented and produced by Theo Leggett
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