FlixMobility, the fast-growing mobility tech company, continues its global expansion and plans to enter Brazil at the end of 2021. The country will be opening its bus market for competition and FlixBus wants to seize this new opportunity.
With this expansion, the company will bring its green business model to one of the largest bus markets in the world where buses are the most used shared means of transport, around 60% of the population using long-distance buses1. Combining green and affordable travel with a high-quality product and strict safety standards has already been the recipe for its success across Europe and in the US.
André Schwämmlein, FlixBus founder and CEO: “We expect that the opening of the Brazilian mobility market will lead to a significant change and many opportunities for innovative players like us. A competitive market offers more choices for customers and leads to more sustainable mobility options and affordable travel. Since FlixBus has started, many European countries have taken this important step ultimately improving the overall mobility offer for the customer. We hope that the remaining countries such as Spain, Greece or Romania will soon recognize the potential of market opening to attract more passengers to sustainable collective travel.”
FlixBus will be one of the first global players to provide Brazilian customers with easy, affordable, and comfortable bus services following the recent steps taken by federal regulators towards a more competitive market. The Flix team, based in Sao Paulo and led by Edson Lopes, who will manage the local team and business, is preparing the market entry. The company aims to start with connecting the biggest cities, for example Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, and then further expand to establish a nation-wide network.
Revolution of the Brazilian bus travel industry: green travel with high-quality standards and the best value for money
Together with its regional bus partners, FlixBus has developed the leading long-distance bus network in Europe and became already the second biggest player in the United States. Now the company will focus on building a network across Brazil. Its product innovations and smart approach to the business shall be the key to success in the South American country.Edson Lopes, Managing Director FlixBus Brazil: “We will introduce a new mobility alternative aiming to expand in regions, where there is currently a lack of competition and people are looking for an affordable means of transport. With a smart business approach and great product, FlixBus managed to change the way people travel across Europe and the USA. This year, we will begin offering Brazilian customers the same green experience with high quality standards and the best value-for-money.”
Recent fundraising of $650M+ to fund expansion in Europe, the USA and beyond
Early June 2021, the company announced its newly closed funding round of over $650M. These funds shall be used for expanding FlixBus and FlixTrain offering across multiple new and existing markets. A significant share is meant to fund the global expansion to new geographies, with Brazil marking the most important step. Schwämmlein: “We see the potential for our affordable, sustainable mobility solutions across the globe, in all countries. Especially in emerging countries, such as Brazil or Turkey, where we are present since 2019, people’s mobility is rapidly increasing. To make sure that their raising mobility needs are met in a sustainable way, it is key to build an attractive network of sustainable collective mobility options. As long-distance buses are one of the most climate friendly modes to travel, a greater offer will significantly contribute to making travelling more sustainable.”
