Stagecoach Manchester and Wigan

[Polo Mint]

RE: Stagecoach Manchester
Thanks for explaining the Charles St. scenario.

I don't see why Wigan/Middleton would get any kind intervention by the OFT. It is status quo apart from a different company running the same network (actually a cheaper and more reliable company, which is actually more benefitial to the community). Arriva can hardly complain with their dominance in the Mersyside area, perhaps First/Stagecoach should report that to the OFT?

I doubt First would sell Bury and Bolton which are prized posessions, First appear to be flogging town and rural networks or networks with no trunk corridors. Selling Bury would weaken Cheetham Hill for a start and service 59 would not survive, Selling Bolton would also affect the Salford network on a huge scale. Without Bury and Bolton then it would weaken Manchester/Salford/Rochdale and leave their entire network exposed to more competition. If First were stupid enough to sell garages then they should try to sell all GM garages instead of large chunks. I would welcome the move as we can finally get some decent cross city routes and towns like Bolton/bury etc could get better networks and cheaper fares than would cause an upward spiral of more usage then more frequency, rather than First's downward spiral. The OFT would say no as they always moan, especially with Middleton soon in Stagecoach hands.

You have to admit Sumner for people who don't use buses often it may be confusing, especially when First still have services in other parts of the region and still operate services into Wigan/Leigh area. I still can't get used to the First livery with Stagecoach titles on them.