FlixBus, the global bus group backed by one of the world’s wealthiest men, will have its bright-green vehicles on Australian roads by Christmas, creating a competitor to long-distance coach companies and airlines.

The Munich-based company will compete for customers with intercity bus operators such as Greyhound and Murrays Coaches and slow regional and interstate trains. It will also try to tempt flyers away from Australia’s domestic airlines including Qantas, Virgin Australia, and Jetstar.