De-regulation

[Metroline1511]

RE: De-regulation

(19/08/2012 12:09)St Helens Rider Wrote:  I don't think the Government operated fairly in the case of the GM Buses split. GM Buses was split into 2 whilst West Midlands was allowed to stay as one - I feel that this decision was purely political.

Apparently local politicians in the West Midlands were more pragmatic. They didn't want privatisation but they realised it was inevitable. They therefore put in an employee bid so as to retain as much control as possible, at least until they sold on to National Express.

(19/08/2012 17:43)wirralbus Wrote:  West Midlands had already gone to NXWM , but being in staunch labour area GMPTA didnt see why they should have to sell it until the Government of the day forced the issue and to make sure it did sell it was split into two halves , there may have been a MMC problem if one of the major bus groups had got the GM Buses operation in its entireity .

Strictly speaking, GM Buses was split in 1993 and both companies sold in 1994, prior to National Express taking over West Midlands Travel in 1995.

Ironically, the government insisted that GM Buses split to help maintain competition in the area. However, not only have they taken over several independents, but the companies are now parts of First and Stagecoach with around 8000 corporate buses each, compared to GM Buses that only had around 2000 buses.