First Manchester

[gilesbus1]

RE: First Manchester

(26/02/2019 17:59)Winston Wrote:  The above statements aren't correct, I think you need to familiarise yourself with the Route One interview from Oct last year:

'Rotala now has access to £50 Million war chest, through its banking partner HSBC.....'
http://www.route-one.net/magazines/emag/...ge_32.html

All of which would need to be paid back as its a loan, it may give them assets to purchase but lets look at FirstGroup and why its in the state its in. A buy like Bolton that is potentially making losses would be a mistake, small fleets one step at a time is the right move and the one this operator has taken up to now, so far its largest acquisition having been GoAheads operations in the West Midlands and then Preston Bus, if Bolton becomes Diamond North West then you might spend £12-20m on the operation then several £million on recasting the network and renewing the fleet leaving very little money for further expansion.

They have a war chest and are looking at Arriva operations in Greater Manchester but obviously the sale of First Manchester has delayed this as it may alter the game of how much the company is worth, say if the new buyer decided to compete head on with Arriva and what they might need to do with Diamond if the new operator competes head on with them also or instead off, so its a waiting game. I also understand that it the past they have expressed interest in Jim Stones as well, and Vision Bus could be another purchase that might give growth with its routes in the Bolton area.

Also as part of a deal with Arriva some cross boundary services operated by St Helens might also be bought as routes like the 360 might better be operated from Atherton as might the longer 34's St Helens - Leigh and maybe services between Wigan and Skelmersdale.