Editor’s note: This op-ed for Bus & Motorcoach News is written by Kai Boysan, CEO of Flix North America.
The intercity bus industry has seen highs and lows, from its golden era in the mid-20th century to decades of decline when other modes of travel dominated. Today, buses are back: affordable, reliable, sustainable, and essential for connecting communities. Helping to drive this renewed momentum for the industry is a new way of doing business: the Flix collaborative model.
At Flix North America, we have built our coast-to-coast network on a simple but powerful idea: operators focus on what they do best—safe driving and fleet management—while Flix provides the tools needed to thrive in today’s market. Our AI-powered technology platform supports network planning, pricing, bookings, marketing, and customer service. It allows supply and demand to be matched more effectively and enables independent operators on the Flix platform to scale without having to build these complex systems from scratch. The Flix platform connects operators with riders and helps them optimize their business through technology.
The Flix collaborative model opens doors for small and mid-sized independent operators who might otherwise struggle to compete with national carriers or meet the tech expectations of modern travelers. It also creates new opportunities for charter operators, often challenged by seasonal demand, to diversify into scheduled intercity service and secure steadier revenue streams.
By joining the Flix platform, operators gain access to millions of riders—visibility and demand that would be nearly impossible to achieve independently. They also gain the ability to tap into the rapid shift away from offline to online ticket sales. The results are tangible: fuller buses, optimized schedules, steadier cash flow, and lower business risk.
Operator Success in Action
One Midwest operator on the Flix platform started with just 2 buses in 2021. Today, thanks to Flix’s platform and demand, their fleet has grown to 15 buses—a nearly eightfold increase in just four years.
Here’s how this operator describes their experience with Flix:
“Our collaboration with Flix represents a key step in strengthening our business model. By diversifying revenue streams, it reduces reliance on a single source and creates new opportunities for sustainable growth. At the same time, the collaboration enhances overall operational stability, allowing us to better navigate market fluctuations and focus on long-term resilience.”
For us at Flix, the principle is simple: we succeed when the operators succeed. This approach is about shared growth, keeping fleets on the road, customers satisfied, drivers employed, and communities connected.
We have been using this globally tested business model in North America since 2018, and the results speak for themselves. More than 50 bus companies across the U.S. and Canada are now part of the Flix network. These operators, mostly small and medium-sized businesses, benefit from data-driven decision-making and world-class expertise that help them grow and optimize their fleets. At the same time, travelers gain access to more routes, affordable pricing, better service, and seamless travel experience.
Flix not only helps individual companies thrive but also lifts the industry as a whole. We advocate for intercity bus service, raise the bar on service quality, and work with government stakeholders to integrate buses more effectively with other transportation modes. This enhances the industry’s role in the national transportation network and attracts new passengers, particularly younger, price-conscious, and environmentally aware travelers.
The intercity bus industry is at an inflection point. With growing demand for affordable and reliable alternatives to flying and driving, and many cities beginning to invest in improved stations and intermodal connections, there has never been a better time for industry members to embrace innovative ways of doing business. The Flix collaborative model is not just a business strategy—it is a roadmap for ensuring intercity buses remain relevant, resilient, and reliable for the future.
Kai Boysan is the CEO of Flix North America, parent company of FlixBus and Greyhound.
