Diamond Bus North West

[motormayhem1]

RE: South Lancs Travel

(04/03/2015 09:58)Dentonian Wrote:  Remember, First and Stagecoach are successors to the "incumbant" GMN/GMS in Greater Manchester, with Arriva only appearing by acquisition (Bee Line, Blue Bus etc). This SLT deal has come out of the blue, but as regards the others:
Finglands: Nothing was broadcast at the time, but my information was that it was Arriva NOT Stagecoach, who were behind the objections to the MMC forcing the inquiry into First's acquisition.
Bluebird: As with Maynes, the Operator wanted to quit the business and approached Stagecoach. ie. These were far from "hostile" take overs.
Jpt: It was literally who was best placed at very short notice to save the services when it became clear Jpt were to cease trading.
I would doubt Rotala would make serious commercial inroads "eastwards" as First have Operational rights to the Leigh Guided Busway, and Reregulation is (supposedly) around the corner.

Im not trying to say they where hostile or anything as just saying if arriva was intrested in manchester then they would of approaced the independents and try and buy them out but arriva relise stagecoach and first basically have manchester wrapped up already due to them buying the old GM buses operations.