Flixtrain
Flixtrain is a German open-access operator of long-distance railway services. It is a subsidiary of long-distance coach operator Flixbus and is supplementing its parents bus network with rail connections.
Industry | Rail transport |
---|---|
Founded | 2018 |
Headquarters | , Germany |
Owner | Flixmobility |
Website | flixtrain.com |
The company is closely tied to Flixbus with which it shares sales channels and structures, marketing and network planning.
History
Current routes
In the 2020 timetable, Flixtrain runs trains on three routes, each seeing two trains a day. Each route is a long-distance intercity connection.
Further plans
FlixTrain made plans to add seven new destinations to its rail network with the start of a new timetable starting on December 15, 2019. A Berlin – Stuttgart service is planned to call additionally at Leipzig, Halle (Saale), Erfurt, Gotha, Eisenach, and Lutherstadt Wittenberg. Aachen to the west of Cologne was also planned to be added to the network. A new Hamburg – Stuttgart service was planned for the spring of 2020. FlixTrain also made plans to enter the rail market in Sweden with service to Stockholm – Malmö, and Stockholm – Gothenburg in the first half of 2020.[1] Further expansion is possible, but plans to expand into France in 2020 or 2021 were postponed, with the company citing the high cost of paths in the country, compared to other European markets.[2]
Rolling stock
Flixtrain does not operate its own rolling stock but sources trains from partner companies. The rolling stock varies, depending on the operator.
Leo Express GmbH
For its Berlin-Stuttgart route FLX 10 Flixtrain relies on services from Leo Express Gmbh, a German subsidiary of Czech open-access operator Leo Express. Leo Express Gmbh itself is the successor of Locomore whose assets it had acquired.
Initially, there was one daily round-trip using one set of coaches. After introducing a second daily service, a second train set was added. The train sets are made up of following carriages:
- eight former Locomore carriages, which were refurbished and owned by SRI Rail Invest and leased to Locomore. Leo Express assumed the lease contracts.[3]
- Repainted coach as operated by Leo Express
- Non-refurbished Interregio coach used between Berlin and Stuttgart
- Refurbished coach formerly operated by Locomore
References
- Barrow, Keith (23 September 2019). "FlixTrain to launch Stockholm - Gothenburg/Malmö services next year". International Railway Journal. Retrieved 21 January 2020.
- https://www.railwaygazette.com/passenger/flixtrain-halts-plans-to-launch-open-access-service-in-france/56270.article
- "2.Chance für Fernzug Berlin-Stuttgart". SRI Rail Invest. Retrieved 10 June 2019.