On February 15,2025, I was traveling from Przemyśl (Poland) on bus route N150 to Berlin. The bus left me on the platform and drove away with my luggage and private things. According to the schedule, the stop was supposed to last five minutes, which was enough time to use the restroom at the station, as the one on the bus had a terrible smell.
Realizing that I needed to retrieve my luggage and that I wouldn't be able to catch up with the bus on the next route, I contacted my friend who lives near Berlin and asked him to go to ZOB Berlin to pick up my belongings. I gave him a detailed description of my items, sent him my electronic ticket and a photo of my passport, and remained in contact to identify myself and confirm that the items were mine if necessary.
At the Berlin bus station, when the bus arrived, my friend approached the drivers and tried to explain the situation. They handed him the backpack that was in the cabin. However, besides the backpack, I also had a bag and skis in a case in the rear luggage compartment. My friend asked the drivers to open the compartment, but they responded rudely, started pushing him, insulting him, and refused to listen. They said they were running late and were not interested in the situation. They simply got back on the bus, closed the door, and drove away without giving him the rest of my belongings.
I am a soldier from Ukraine, traveling to see my son, who currently lives in Germany with my wife and whom I have not seen for two years. We had planned to go on vacation together. Due to the negligence, arrogance, unprofessionalism, and disrespectful attitude of the drivers of bus number W8UNI2, operating the Przemyśl-Berlin route N150 on 15.02.2025, I lost my luggage. I am unable to go on vacation with my son, I suffered significant financial losses due to hotel and ticket costs, and I had to buy new tickets to reach my son. I still do not know where my luggage is, despite filing a lost baggage claim.
With this complaint, I am reporting the bus drivers for their disrespectful attitude towards passengers, indifference, and the terrible quality of service.
I am very glad that the bus drivers have the opportunity to see their children every day and spend time with them...
As a journalist who frequently travels across Europe, I've encountered numerous personal experiences with Flixbus and have spoken to passengers from around the world who have shared similar frustrations. While Flixbus presents itself as an affordable and convenient transportation option, there are significant issues that undermine its reputation.
One particularly troubling case involved a woman who traveled from Prague to Berlin and accidentally left her laptop on the bus. After filling out the required lost item form, she never heard back from the company. "They don't even respond," she shared. "It's a shame that such a large European bus company lacks an effective system to manage lost property." The woman, who had come from Africa for a short course, was fortunate that her company did not hold her financially responsible for the lost device. However, her story is not unique. A number of passengers have reported losing valuable belongings, such as phones, which have never been recovered or returned. This is a recurring issue that significantly tarnishes the company's credibility.
In my own experience, I traveled with Flixbus from Rotterdam, Netherlands, to Ghent, Belgium, a journey of just under two hours. Upon arrival at the bus, I asked the driver if this was the correct bus to Ghent. To my surprise, he responded, "I don't speak Dutch." While this was perplexing for a service operating in the Netherlands, I switched to English, only to be told that he did not speak English either. He continued asking if I could speak his language, which I found to be an unusual and unprofessional exchange, especially in such an international setting.
My return journey from Ghent to Rotterdam was equally unsettling. When the bus made a stop in Brussels, I moved to the front of the bus to admire the city I hadn't visited in some time. After some passengers disembarked, the driver abruptly shouted at me, "What are you doing here? Go back to your seat!" His tone was unnecessarily aggressive, and I was left feeling as though I was being treated disrespectfully, as if I were somehow causing a disturbance.
A common complaint that arises from numerous passengers is the inability of the staff to communicate in any of the major European languages, such as English, Dutch, or French. During my ride, I overheard the driver and staff speaking in a non-European language throughout the entire trip. This is particularly concerning for a service operating across Europe, where basic proficiency in these languages is expected.
These experiences, along with the feedback from other passengers, raise significant concerns about Flixbus's hiring practices. It appears that the company may be avoiding the employment of European workers, possibly due to the higher wages they are entitled to under EU labor regulations. Instead, Flixbus seems to be opting for cheaper labor, which has resulted in a noticeable decline in service standards.
In conclusion, while Flixbus offers low-cost travel options, the experiences of many passengers, including my own, raise serious questions about the company's commitment to professionalism, customer service, and accountability. From poor communication to ineffective handling of lost property, Flixbus must take these issues seriously and implement necessary changes to improve the customer experience across Europe.