Volvo 9700s rolling out on McGill’s FlixBus services

Vehicle roll-out represents start of new ‘tripartite’ arrangement 

The first in a fleet of 18 new high specification Volvo 9700 coaches have entered service in Scotland.

The delivery heralds the start of a new ‘tripartite’ arrangement between FlixBus, McGill’s and Volvo Buses

Initial vehicles are being rolled out on a new FlixBus route running twice daily from Edinburgh to Aberdeen, via Dundee, Dunfermline, and Perth, while FlixBus’ existing Glasgow to Aberdeen service, via Stirling, Perth, and Dundee, is extending from four to seven times a day, in response to strong passenger demand.

Volvo Buses is supplying the new coaches between now and the end of June, with the next tranche to be deployed on further new routes across Scotland, directly supporting the company’s plans to build the largest intercity coach network in the UK. Operating the new routes is McGill’s, the UK’s largest independent bus operator.

The relationship between FlixBus and Volvo Buses is further supported by a cooperation agreement signed in May 2022 which enables the company to supply coaches to FlixBus’ partner network across Europe. This now provides more than 400,000 daily connections to over 3,000 destinations, spanning 25 different countries.

“We will double our network by summer, and in Scotland we are increasing our services five-fold” – Andreas Schörling, Managing Director of FlixBus UK

Andreas Schörling, Managing Director of FlixBus UK, said: “Thanks to phenomenal demand, we saw passengers increase 190% in Q1 2023, compared to 2022. We will double our network by summer, and in Scotland we are increasing our services five-fold.

Customers know when they make a booking with FlixBus that they’ll be travelling in a modern vehicle, with great drivers trained to the highest standards. The Volvo 9700 coaches deliver a fantastic experience for our passengers, with generous seat space, free on-board Wi-Fi and in-seat charging as standard.”

The Volvo dealer network is very strong across the UK, giving us the peace of mind that should we need it” – McGill’s CEO, Ralph Roberts

McGill’s CEO, Ralph Roberts, commented on the Volvo 9700s: “We looked at the full package – the product, the specification, and the aftermarket support available from the Volvo dealer network – and there was a genuine commitment from the manufacturer to deliver a first class experience for both us as an operator, and for our passengers too.

The Volvo dealer network is very strong across the UK, giving us the peace of mind that should we need it, we have experienced support teams who know the product spread nationwide.”

McGill’s and FlixBus have first-hand experience running the 9700 on its service from Glasgow to London and the product has been performing brilliantly” – Domenico Bondi, Managing Director of Volvo Bus UK & Ireland

Domenico Bondi, Managing Director of Volvo Bus UK & Ireland, adds: “FlixBus demands exceptionally high standards from its partners, and it’s this focus on quality which has driven the brand’s rapid growth across Europe.

McGill’s and FlixBus have first-hand experience running the 9700 on its service from Glasgow to London and the product has been performing brilliantly. It’s this real-world experience which helped to secure the ‘tripartite’ agreement for the supply of these vehicles, and we look forward to seeing continuing positive growth in our relationship.”

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