BlaBlaBus

BlaBlaBus, formerly Ouibus, formerly iDBUS, operates coach services in Europe.[1] Currently, OUIBUS serves Aix-en-Provence, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Brussels, Genoa, Lille, London, Lyon, Marseille, Milan, Nice, Paris, Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, San Sebastián, and Turin. The route network is expanding progressively. Ouibus has three major hubs; Paris-Bercy, Lyon-Perrache, and Lille-Europe. Founded in 2012 by SNCF, in November 2018 it was announced that it would be purchased by BlaBlaCar and rebranded as BlaBlaBus.

BlaBlaBus
BlaBlaBus at Saint-Denis
SloganSmart travel, together
ParentSNCF (95%)
Starshipper (5%)
Founded2012
Service areaWestern Europe
Service typeIntercity coach service
AllianceALSA
National Express
HubsParis-Bercy
Lyon-Perrache
Lille-Europe
Fleet46 coaches
Chief executiveMaria Harti
Websitewww.ouibus.com

History
Ouibus logo used from 2015 to 2018
iDBUS logo used from 2012 to 2015

iDBUS was launched on 23 July 2012 with services to Amsterdam, London and Brussels from the first hub Paris-Bercy.[2] A domestic service between Paris and Lille was launched on 29 August 2012.

A second hub was created at Lyon-Perrache on 17 December 2012 to launch Milan and Turin destinations. On 23 May 2013, iDBUS began operating services between Marseille and Nice, Genoa and Milan. On 28 April 2014 iDBUS launched a service from Brussels to Amsterdam, London and Charles de Gaulle Airport.[3]

On 1 December 2014, iDBUS started operating into Germany, with a service from Paris to Brussels, Aachen and Cologne.[4] From 15 June 2015 iDBUS expanded further in the Benelux, with Rotterdam and Antwerp added to the network. From the same date a London to Lyon route started.

On 3 September 2015, iDBUS was rebranded Ouibus.[5] In July 2016, the Starshipper business was purchased.[6]

In February 2018, Ouibus entered a partnership with ALSA and National Express.[7] In November 2018, it was announced the business would be purchased by BlaBlaCar.[8]

Fleet

BlaBlaBus have a fleet of 46 Setra, Mercedes-Benz and Iveco coaches that meet the Euro 5 emission standard. The whole fleet is fitted with Wi-Fi, plug sockets and spaces for disabled passengers.

On a number of the services to/from Spain, a fleet of Irizar i6 coaches operated by Sarfa are used. These operate in the Ouibus livery.

The fleet is equipped with toilets and free WiFi, and offers power outlets at every seat.[9]

References
  1. About Us Ouibus
  2. SNCF Launches its First Coach Service Idbus 4 July 2012
  3. Article about the launch of new services from Brussels (in Dutch)
  4. Article about the launch of a new service to Germany (in French)
  5. Idbus becomes Ouibus Coach & Bus Week issue 1214 10 November 2015 page 14
  6. Starshipper becomes Ouibus SoBus
  7. National Express strengthens cross channel and European services National Express 1 February 2018
  8. SNCF to sell Ouibus to BlaBlaCar in multimodal partnership Railway Gazette International 13 November 2018
  9. iDBUS Services
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