Annual Report 2012/2013 5.09 MB - Nobina AB

swebusswebusNEW PRODUCTSSPREAD OUTREVENUESVIGOROUSEFFORT IN ATOUGH MARKET”2012/2013 was a satisfactory year for Swebus.Despite a tough market situation, we managedto deliver positive results thanks to vigorousefforts on both the cost and revenue sides.We expect to see even more results as we continuestrengthening the offering to our customersand implementing streamlining measuresin operations.At the same time, it is difficult getting agood foothold as a commercial player in thismarket, partly because of the unbalanced competition.However, we will gradually solidifySwebus’ position, primarily through new productsand services based on our strong brand.For example, we want chartered bus travel torepresent a greater portion of our sales in thefuture. We’ve also noticed that event trips arebecoming more popular. We are continuingto develop our cooperation with Coop grocerystore and are also looking for new partners. Ofcourse, we will continue to maintain controlover costs. In summary, we will carry on realizingSwebus’ potential in both expected andunexpected ways. I am optimistic about thefuture.”Joakim Palmkvist, Managing Director ofSwebusThe 2012/2013 fiscal year was another challenging one for Swebus. Sales fellfrom SEK 370 million to SEK 355 million compared to the prior year, but wemanaged to return to a positive operating profit of SEK 5 (–4) million. Weachieved this through layoffs, adapting the offering and streamlining measuresto operations that improved the occupancy rate. Travel distance didn’tdecrease as much as it has in prior years, but competition from train and airtravel continues to increase. The lower travel distance has a negative impacton revenue and it also slows down efficiency improvements. At the same time,costs were affected by our aggressive investments in IT applications and airportshuttle services.OPERATIONSNEW PRODUCTS AND COOPERATIONDuring the last financial year, Swebus conducted a number of activitiesand launced new offerings to increase bus travel. Here are a few examples:• We launched scheduled trips from Gothenburg, Skåne and Jönköping tothe popular shopping destination, Gekås in Ullared.• During the winter, trips to ski destinations Kungsberget and Sälen werelaunched, and collaboration on sales with Fjällexpressen/Strömma Buss,with trips to locations including Idre, Trysil and Lofsdalen.• During the summer, we started offering trips to new destinations like SkaraSommarland and Kolmården zoo when the summer timetables came intoeffect.• We started cooperating with Viking Line shipping company to optimizepublic transport between Stadsgården in Stockholm and a number ofSwedish cities. Buses run daily between Eskilstuna, Västerås and Uppsala,with connections to Swebus’ other routes.• We continued offering event trips to the “big four” (running, biking, skiingand swimming) races, computer gaming events, the Gothenburg book fairand several major music festivals.• We signed a cooperation agreement with Smart Senior for discount travel topensioners.• We launched a number of additional products (priority boarding, extrabaggage, booster seats).• The Swebus price guarantee celebrated its first anniversary. This means thatpassengers are paid the difference plus SEK 1 if they find an equivalentcheaper trip offered by another express bus company.42