National Express takeover of Stagecoach

[knutstransport]

RE: National Express takeover of Stagecoach

(29/01/2022 18:20)Mrboo Wrote:  I don't think there be any issues with the buses as many areas only have 1 company doing all the town services.

The CMA tend to focus on takeovers rather than contract awards. If there's 10 council contracts up for tender and Stagecoach win each of them and there's competition for each of the tenders, then the CMA don't seem to mind. However, if Stagecoach are one of two operators in a smallish city like Preston then the CMA do mind if Stagecoach make the competition disappear.

Competition can actually be a disadvantage in smaller towns where frequencies are lower and there isn't integrated ticketing, as it means passengers with day and weekly tickets for one operator may not be able to catch the next service without paying extra.