First Manchester

[Metroline1511]

RE: First Manchester

(27/06/2019 07:55)Gillmoss 0324 Wrote:  It will be interesting whether the Competition Commission gets involved as the existing Diamond Bus operation in Bolton/surrounding area's is fairly significant. Arriva, Stagecoach and Rosso seem a bit minor players as competitors in Bolton so maybe a bit of trading might have to happen before it all falls into place.

I assume if this is all clear Rotala will merge this into the Diamond Bus brand, could be the start of an interesting move for Rotala in the North West too.

Yep Oldham's last man standing for First and if First want to keep it and more importantly survive it might be transferred to/run by the West Yorkshire division although I reckon it will get sold off at some point although a long drawn out sale does no good to both staff and passengers in the end.

There is also Vision Bus in Bolton. As Rotala will still have fewer buses in Bolton than, for example, First on Oldham and Stagecoach in Stockport, the CMA may clear this acquisition ok.