With train strikes continuing to cause havoc across the county, more and more people are turning to the UK’s fastest-growing coach company, which recently added Carlisle to its route.

Flix is a travel company that was formed in Munich in 2011 and now boasts intercity bus routes in Europe, North America, and Brazil, with plans to launch in Chile and India in the next two years.

After hearing positive reviews ahead of another weekend of train strikes, I opted to take a coach from Carlisle to Manchester to see whether Flix can be considered a cheaper, more reliable option for travel across the UK.

My ticket cost £15.98 in total, whereas trains on the same day, even with a 16-25 railcard, would have set me back between £22-£35. 

Had I booked it earlier, it might have cost me less than £10, with tickets available from as little as £2.99.

Granted, a train would probably have saved me around an hour in travel time, although with delays and a likely change at Preston to reach Manchester, you can never really predict how long a train journey might take.

There were no delays at Flix, however, as the coach pulled away from the Halston Hotel at 11:05 on the dot, with the efficiency that you might expect from a German company.

A simple scan of my phone saw me invited onto the coach and I quickly found my 6A seat, which came with a small table, USB charging spots, and air conditioning.

I was one of the blessed, or unfortunate depending on your social skills, few with nobody sitting next to them, which allowed me plenty of space, although things might have been a little cramped had someone joined me in 6B.

It was a refreshing change to not have regular interruptions with people constantly up and down the aisles and things were, on the whole, very quiet as we hurtled south.

Some would be on the coach longer than others, as the final destination was Bristol, with the coach drivers expected to swap halfway through, but my time to Manchester passed quickly and without incident.

In fact, we pulled into the bus station at 1:30 pm, 35 minutes ahead of schedule. 

The feeling of an earlier-than-anticipated arrival is something that has been lost on me in recent years of train travel and it is one that I plan to seek out again. 

While there is the issue of there being just one Flix bus available from Carlisle per day, each leaving at the same time in the morning, which is obviously inconvenient for those who are unable to work remotely, this was a stress-free overall travel experience. 

The less than reliable wifi proved that nothing, when it comes to travelling at least, is perfect, but that certainly won't be my last trip on a Flix Bus.