We are in unprecedented times, as 2 of the 3 largest UK bus companies face break-up or sale. First have been randomly or concertedly selling divisions on and off for over 6 years. Arriva are facing divestment by Deutsche Bahn.
Although Stagecoach, Go-Ahead and National Express can afford to make plenty of takeovers, many by Stagecoach would not be cleared by the CMA while National Express are barely interested in additional UK bus operations. Rotala sound keen to expand but, apart from small divisions or independents, rarely do in practice.
Stagecoach may decide that to get a better spread of areas that they themselves may have to sell some operations , if and its a big if some of the areas that do come up are better areas profit wise than they already operate in.
Is First getting ready to implode at one point this company was bigger than Stagecoach .
Arriva i just can not put my finger on what is going on there .