First Manchester

[gilesbus1]

RE: First Manchester
Have heard now that Go Ahead will take over Manchester on the second week in May not as quick as originally was the case. Also heard now that Rotala have an £80m war chest so maybe in that case Bolton might go to them.

Simply what I can't get with Arriva is why if they don't want franchising they would keep cross boundary routes into places like Wigan or South Manchester yet sell other routes that go there from Bolton or Altrincham. Seems to me something of a strange policy as you either deal with it or you don't half measures, we want some franchising but not other bits simply doesn't make sense as you still have to work with the body you say you can't work with. So something has to give, those routes could go out to tender in any case by TfGM or at least the parts within Greater Manchester.

Also rule out a Transdev takeover for Bolton that's now a none starter from what I understand, the only interested party we know about is Rotala, not sure if anyone else externally is in the running, also heard HCT owners of MCT are not interested in Oldham depot.