Germany based bus operator Flix has been committed to deliver green and affordable travel to its customers with an exclusive range of facilities.
Currently operational in Europe, the Americas, Turkey, Flix is targeting to start its first inter-city green lines service in India by early 2024.
Following this chain of events, Flix’s Surya Khurana, Managing Director for domestic operations had a casual talk with Aishwarya on his views on the current prospects of India’s transport and EV industry.
Known as a global mobility services provider, what are Flix’s key services and is it going to be different in India?
One of the core reasons for Flix’s global success is that it has been able to find the right product-market fit to meet the needs of the customer in each geography that it enters. FlixBus is committed to providing affordable, sustainable and reliable travel options to customers around the world. In India, we believe that there is a large and growing demand for safe, comfortable, and reliable intercity travel. Our go-to-market strategy will focus on addressing these needs by offering a high-quality product at a competitive price. We understand that Indian customers are extremely cost conscious, however, we also believe that they are looking for a reliable and safe travel option that sets a high bar on quality. We are confident that FlixBus can offer both affordability and safety, and we are excited to bring our service to India.
Sustainability and net zero carbon footprint are becoming the key mantra for every mobility service provider, mention Flix’s viewpoint on the same and any plans for the electrification of the fleet?
On the path to carbon neutrality, all stakeholders have a vital role to play. The European institutions and some national governments did indeed show the will to further support development of alternative driving technologies and infrastructure. However, more needs to be done for long-distance bus transport, including increasing the availability of charging points for heavy-duty vehicles and securing financial support for R&D, given the cost of these technologies.
A shift to collective transport and coach transport is the first step to fighting climate change in a socially conscious way. A future where resources are scarce needs to be more collective. Access to mobility is a social right – greater connectivity and social inclusion go hand in hand with decarbonization and coach is a solution on this path.
Q: Known for offering superior bus and train services to its customers, how does digitalization of the transport play a role in enhancing customer experience and safety?
Fostering digitalization of the traditional bus industry through Flix-powered technology, FlixBus guarantees one standard globally, with consistent quality of service on every vehicle in the fleet, providing a high level of safety and a convenient travel experience.
Here are some of the ways in which digitalization enhances customer experience and safety at Flixbus:
- Real-time tracking: Customers can track their bus in real time using our mobile app. This gives them peace of mind knowing exactly where their bus is and when it will arrive.
- Online booking: Customers can book their tickets online 24/7. This is convenient and easy to do, and it allows customers to compare prices and find the best deals.
- Mobile app: Our mobile app provides customers with a variety of features, including real-time tracking, online booking, and seat selection. The app also allows customers to check in for their trip and receive push notifications about their journey.
- Customer service: We offer 24/7 customer service via phone, email, and chat. This allows customers to get help whenever they need it.
- Partner Operations: Our mobility partner portal is a powerful tool that can be used to improve fleet management, and run more efficient bus partner operations. By using technology to collect and analyze data, bus operators can make better decisions that will lead to improved efficiency, reliability, and customer satisfaction.
In addition to enhancing customer experience, digitalization also plays a role in improving safety at Flixbus. We use a variety of digital tools to monitor our buses and drivers, including GPS tracking, video surveillance, and driver fatigue monitoring. This helps us to identify and address potential safety risks before they occur.
We believe that digitalization is essential to providing our customers with the best possible experience and safety. We are committed to using technology to improve our services and make travel easier, more convenient, and more enjoyable for our customers.
Entering the dynamic market of Indian automobiles, how does Flix plan to project its model to cater to the customers and are there any domestic collaborations on the horizon?
With India’s travel market being highly fragmented and commoditized, increasing demand for sustainable, reliable and safe collective travel options, and online travel booking systems growing significantly, Flix sees immense potential for growth in the region.
We are confident that our unique business model based of close cooperation with local bus partners combined with Flix’s technological innovation will be a winning match in India as well. We are planning to offer consistent quality, standardization and safety, and build the most competitive bus network in India.
Flix’ scalable business model and commitment to providing consistent quality, safety and a seamless customer experience worldwide, has already delivered success across 40 countries on 4 continents. The company’s entry into new markets has a proven track record of raising standards, creating a competitive market offering and more reliable choices for customers. Increased competition will create the best offer for the customer and more people can benefit from affordable and sustainable travel options. We are already speaking to the industry, and we get a lot of positive feedback, thus we are confident to sign partners quickly once we approach the launch date.
When can we expect the launch of Flix mobility services in India?
To deliver on our ambitious plans, we plan a phased launch of FlixBus operations in India, with first green lines starting in 2024 connecting major hubs and metropolitan areas, with further expansion into the interior of the country as we build scale.