FlixBus partnered with Motor Coach Industries (MCI) on its first electric bus pilot program in the Los Angeles metropolitan area.

The chief goals of this pilot program, lasting almost two weeks, are to bring EV service to more passengers and test how bus partners can utilize an EV bus as part of their day-to-day operations. To date, FlixBus has brought electric bus pilot programs to seven cities on the West Coast. 

“Since our entry into the U.S. market in 2018, FlixBus has believed in the potential of the U.S. intercity bus system,” said Pierre Gourdain, Managing Director of FlixBus USA. “With this project, we continue our path of providing millions of people sustainable and affordable mobility and help ensure that intercity buses are central to the green mobility revolution.” 

FlixBus’ local bus partner, Los Angeles-based Alvand Transportation , is running electric bus service from downtown Los Angeles to San Diego, along one of the busiest bus routes in the United States, for 11 days starting on May 17. 

Alvand partnered with FlixBus in 2018, making it one of the first FlixBus partners in the country. Alvand, known for its consistent high-quality service, is keenly interested in electrifying its fleet in the near future.

The all-electric coach, J4500 CHARGE provided by MCI, is a zero-emission version of the industry’s best-selling J series tour and charter luxury coaches. The bus leverages EV technology from New Flyer and delivers more than 200 miles of range, while also delivering enhanced safety features.

“Our J4500 CHARGE was made for high performance through unmatched design, with each detail developed to provide an exceptional passenger experience while supporting zero-emission travel with clean, safe, reliable mobility,” said Chris Stoddart, President of NFI North America Bus and Coach, a leading global bus manufacturer of mass mobility solutions under the brands New Flyer (heavy-duty transit buses), MCI (motorcoaches), Alexander Dennis Limited (single- and double-deck buses), Plaxton (motorcoaches), ARBOC (low-floor cutaway and medium-duty buses) and NFI Parts. 

For just $9.99 each way, FlixBus invited Los Angeles metro area residents, travelers and more to experience the future of intercity bus travel. The pilot is running from May 17-28, with service running daily from Downtown Los Angeles to San Diego with one trip per day in each direction, including a stop in La Jolla. 

The pilot program trips will leave Downtown Los Angeles at 9:55 a.m. daily, while buses leaving from Old Town San Diego will depart at 4:30 p.m.

FlixBus has long made sustainability a key part of its mission to bring low-cost, convenient, eco-friendly transportation for everyone throughout its growing network of more than 200 destinations in the U.S. and Canada.

In addition to biogas and hydrogen-powered bus pilot programs in Europe, the intercity bus service has been a market leader in supporting the development of carbon-neutral, fully-electric intercity buses in North America.

The company was the first to run an intercity electric bus pilot in 2019 between Sacramento and San Francisco and the first interstate electric bus pilot in U.S. history in 2021 between Seattle, Washington, and Eugene, Oregon. 

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