Lux Express buses to start operating on long-distance bus routes in Finland

TALLINN - Estonian bus operator Lux Express is expanding into the Finnish market -- in cooperation with bus company OnniBus, Lux Express Premium-class buses will begin serving passengers in Finland from June 19.

"The decision of the recognized Finnish market leader to start cooperation with Lux Express is the best proof that in 15 years we have managed to create a unique mobility service that is highly appreciated not only by passengers from all over the Baltic region, but also by international partners," Ingmar Roos, member of the management board of Lux Express, said. "This international recognition gives us the confidence and ambition to set the goal of the next decade to expand into the Scandinavian market through franchise partners. Cooperation with OnniBus is the first important milestone in this strategic direction."

Comfortable buses bearing the name Lux ​​Express by OnniBus will start operating on two Finnish intercity routes -- Helsinki-Turku and Helsinki-Jyväskylä -- from June 19. Two more cities will be added to the route network in the fall: Helsinki-Tampere and Helsinki-Kotka.

OnniBus CEO Joona Hurmerinta emphasized that Lux Express Premium-class buses offer Finnish passengers the amenities they are already familiar with from the Estonian and Baltic markets.

"All seatbacks have screens where passengers can enjoy a wide range of entertainment for free. The bus also has particularly comfortable seats and more legroom than usual. If a customer wants a little more luxury on their journey, they can book a seat in Relax class, which offers very comfortable leather seats and plenty of space in a 2+1 seating arrangement," Hurmerinta said. "We are very excited about this collaboration and see that Lux Express’ service concept perfectly complements OnniBus’s overall offering."

OnniBus has set a goal to increase the number of bus passengers thanks to the convenient service concept of Lux Express, primarily by attracting people who currently travel between cities by car or train.

Roos emphasized that the high-comfort service being introduced in Finland has proven itself as a reliable alternative to traveling by private car, based on the experiences of Estonia and the Baltic countries.

"These experiences give us confidence that we can compete with private cars also in Finland and elsewhere in Scandinavia," he added.

In addition to operating domestic routes in Finland, Lux Express and OnniBus are also cooperating closely in connecting the route networks of the Baltic states and Finland.

"Since last year, we have been operating two international bus routes from Riga and Vilnius, which reach the D terminal of the Port of Tallinn. On the Finnish side, OnniBus has extended its routes from Turku and Tampere to the West Port terminal in Helsinki, thus creating a smoother connection between the Baltic countries and Finland," Roos said.

OnniBus is a Finnish bus company that offers the country's most extensive long-distance bus network. In 2014, OnniBus was the first company in Finland to introduce double-decker buses. The company's fleet currently consists of both single- and double-decker buses. OnniBus buses make over three million journeys in Finland each year. The company's head office and customer service center are located in Tampere. OnniBus is part of the Finnish Koiviston Auto group.