Webfleet supports FlixBus on route to an even safer bus network with AI-based video telematics

• Flixbus is using Webfleet’s video solution to protect their bus drivers, passengers, and other road users.
• By promoting more defensive driving styles, FlixBus is also reducing its own carbon footprint.

Amsterdam, the Netherlands (5 December, 2023) - FlixBus, a global mobility provider for convenient and affordable travel, is using Webfleet's video telematics solution to make Europe's largest long-distance bus network even safer. The AI-based solution from Europe's number one fleet management provider combines vehicle and trip data with machine vision and artificial intel­li­gence-­based camera technology. In this way, FlixBus has a complete overview of how the fleet is performing on the road. The installed solution, which meets the highest standards of data privacy, helps to avoid dangerous situations, and prevent accidents. By promoting more defensive driving, FlixBus helps to protect drivers, passengers and other road users as well as reduce their own CO₂ emissions.

For bus companies, road safety is an essential part of their everyday work. One approach to protecting passengers, drivers and vehicles from the consequences of road accidents is the use of AI and video-based solutions such as Webfleet. AI warning systems can improve driving safety and reduce the risk of accidents in bus fleets. They effectively help protect drivers from accidents and false accusations while increasing the profitability of their own vehicles. For example, video solutions using artificial intelligence are now able to detect various types of unsafe driving behaviour and warn drivers so that they can correct their behaviour immediately. Video evidence also helps to clarify liability in the event of accidents or damage, explains Wolfgang Schmidt, Webfleet Head of Central Region.

Andy Breitsprecher, Operations Manager at Flixbus DACH GmbH, explains the benefits of Webfleet for FlixBus: Webfleet Video helps us to protect our drivers, passengers and other road users. The dashcam as a digital 'co-driver' supports our bus drivers to drive more defensively and therefore more safely. The company also plans to integrate recordings of critical situations into its training programmes: In this way, we can coach drivers how they can further improve their driving style using real examples from their everyday driving.

More cautious driving behaviour also helps drivers to save more fuel during their trips, which in turn has a positive effect on the company's carbon footprint and fuel costs. Crucially, according to Breitsprecher, it is also about protecting the drivers themselves - for example from false accusations from other road users: With the outward-­facing camera, we can reconstruct exactly how an accident involving a third party occurred at any time. This allows us to protect them should they fall victim to a fraudulent claim.

Flix is a pioneer in the field of long-distance public transport, offering climate-­friendly alternatives for convenient and affordable travel with its FlixBus and FlixTrain brands. Thanks to a unique business model and innovative technology, Flix has built Europe's largest long-distance bus network in a very short time and is also represented with FlixBus in the United States, Canada, Chile and Brazil. As a pioneer in sustainable transport, Flix launched the first green long-distance trains with FlixTrain in 2018, initiated a pilot project for fully electric long-distance buses in the same year and introduced the first biogas-­powered long-distance buses in the EU in 2021.

While Flix is responsible for technology development, network planning, operations management, marketing and sales, quality management and continuous product expansion, proven Flix partners - mostly from the traditional SME sector - take care of day-to-day route operations. The unique combination of technology start-up, e-commerce and traditional transport company has positioned Flix as a market leader in the face of major international corporations and has permanently changed the global mobility landscape.