Stagecoach MCSL - Chester & Wirral Depots

[Gillmoss 0324]

RE: Stagecoach Chester & Wirral
I can see Stagecoach rightly or wrongly muscling in on at least the profitable parts of Avon Bus if they want to grow/develop the Wirral and Chester business. I think they've hanged fire until the situation with Imperia was settled and now Avon has come on their radar as something which along with Helms, Arrowebrook and even some or all of GHA that could help it grow/develop their Wirral and Cheshire operations without treading on Arriva's toes too much. Don't get me wrong I do like Avon Bus and it would be sad to see them squeezed out as on the whole (when I've used them) they seem fairly well run and do run routes the likes of Stagecoah/Arriva generally do want to know about. Also I don't think Merseytravel would provide replacments for all the routes Avon have commercialised in the last few years, however I do think the X22 does show Stagecoach's intentions at least that Avon could be a possible takeover target for them. If that did happen only A2B Travel and Cumfybus would be left as Merseytravel contractors for unprofitable routes on the Wirral. Interesting (if perhaps not necessairly for the best) times ahead I reckon.