Warrington's Own Buses

[robertclark125]

RE: WBT Network Warrington
Just on this question of takeovers, people are assuming that NW should be the one taken over. TBH, let's not forget the possibility that GHA or faribrothers could receive an offer from a group, and that they then improve that firms services.

And I'm not just referring, in group terms, to Stagecoach, First or Arriva. Rotala have a presence in the North west with Preston Bus and Diamond North West (SLT), so they could be a contender. It's also interesting to mention that the firm is called Diamond Bus North West for trading purposes, which could be used at other locations in the North West.

Mind you, there is a flip side. The fact that no one has made an offer or launched a serious assault on NW has a few meanings.

1 - The groups haven't looked at Warrington.
2 - They have, and aren't interested in the area, at this time
3 - maybe they have, but bids have been rejected. However, with this point, as some groups are listed on the stock market or AIM, it's possible they would have informed those markets.
4 - They may be plotting their own moves. However, the last bus war, in the 1990s, was total triumph for WBT and total defeat for Arriva. But, that's not to say that'll be the case again. Remember Arriva has no depot in the town right now, but it could find a site and use it as a small depot.