Stagecoach Devon

[Southernsofty]

RE: Stagecoach Devon

(16/08/2015 19:09)Dentonian Wrote:  I am aware of the problems in Carlisle, and Stagecoach do seem to have adopted this daft idea of reducing capacity when not desirable - but First did this here, there and everywhere 10 years or so ago. They used the ridiculous excuse that anti-social behaviour didn't exist on single-deckers. I'm guessing King's Lynn is partly the fall out from Norfolk Green (vountarily) selling up, having been a highly reputable Operator - but where did the owner (Ben Colson) originally make his name?

Besides, these miss the point - which is that the OFT/CMA always investigate Stagecoach takeovers - causing blight to staff, as much as anything - even though the vast majority are voluntary deals. In saying that, the same applied to First with Finglands, causing even greater uncertainty. They are just David v Goliath fantasists who sit in an office in the centre of a city where every operator has a route monopoly and market retention is virtually guaranteed due to much more favourable transport policies. In the real world outside the M25, bus Operators are not competing just amongst themselves, they are competing against rail, taxis, cars, bicycles, local politicians, prejudiced parking wardens and a media industry that is little more than a lobby for each of the above modes.

Agree completely Dentonian.
If I cynically accept that the CMA exists and therefore has to be seen to be 'investigating' every merger/takeover/change, then in this instance, where Stagecoach are (only partly) replacing the whole of Firsts operations in Greater Plymouth, the only issue they will be able to highlight, will be the X38 & Gold routes now being in common ownership with the former First routes 'resulting in a reduction in competition' bla - bla.
Should the CMA decide to make an issue out of this (I don't think they will by the way), Stagecoach could say, (probably after a legal challenge) OK we will scale back the former First Network, which will result in a loss of jobs and give PCB a bigger share of the local market.