First Manchester

[Bevan Price]

RE: First Manchester

(05/02/2019 10:40)EDB325 Wrote:  The story hasn't made the Times yet, but I notice First group's share price rose by about 3% yesterday. There's possibly a bit of skullduggery going on.

If they do sell, who would be the possible buyers ? Stagecoach could be interested in Bolton since it conveniently adjoins Wigan, but the Competition Regulator wouldn't be very keen on them getting their hands on Queen's Road, and Oldham might not appeal. Arriva probably won't consider any expansion in the current Brexit situation.

Do Transdev have the financial clout to come into the mix I wonder ?

So far, Transdev seem to have avoided undertaking major operations in large cities. For example, they run into Leeds, but represent only a minority fraction of buses in that city.

Who else is there ? Go-Ahead, Rotala, Delgro, ?????

My own preference would be a return to local municipal operators, but that won't happen under a tory government.