[EU] FlixTrain is preparing for a Europe-wide expansion

FlixMobility is expanding its rail services in Europe. News about its FlixTrains activities in Germany, Sweden and France and a statement about new rolling stock:

Germany: The FlixTrain network in Germany is growing. With the start of the new timetable in December, the green trains will also halt in Leipzig, Aachen, Halle (Saale), Erfurt, Gotha, Eisenach, and Lutherstadt Wittenberg.  Also, FlixTrain will introduce the new Hamburg – Stuttgart service in the spring of 2020.

Sweden: In the first half of 2020, FlixTrain will enter the rail market in Sweden by introducing new trains on the routes Stockholm – Malmö, and Stockholm – Gothenburg.

France: The national regulatory authority ARAFER is currently conducting performance audits for selected routes; By 2020, FlixMobility will evaluate the opportunities for the French market, which will be liberalized in 2021. Earlier this year, ARAFER announced that FlixTrain has place bids for five different routes:

  • Paris – Lyon;
  • Paris – Toulouse;
  • Paris – Bordeaux;
  • Paris – Brussels;
  • and a Paris – Nice night train.

New trains

FlixMobility confirms it is in ‘initial talks’ with several train manufacturers about new rolling stock. In Germany, FlixTrain is currently using old passenger coaches, once the property of Deutsche Bahn. For future expansion in Germany and abroad, the operator wants to expand its fleet with a ‘combination of refurbished and brand new trains.’

193 826 with FLX 27803 at Düsseldorf Volksgarten (DE) Photo: Achim Scheil