First Manchester

[Mrboo]

RE: First Manchester

(14/01/2020 22:28)gilesbus1 Wrote:  I think at current its all undecided, they aren't going for their original plan that was to sell Oldham depot as an individual unit now. However FirstGroup is planning to split up and sell units within its Group and break up the group, how this happens remains to be seen, and Oldham might be seen by potential buyers as not worth having as its loss making in its current form and also bus franchising might mean that the value of the assets there would fall more, especially as the garage site is rumoured for redevelopment plans related to Oldham town centre. However FirstGroup is likely to remain in Greater Manchester until at least the First Sunday in April 2021 as that is when the Vantage contract expires. Suspect Oldham might also be being kept open as a unit to service and manage it. When Vantage is re-tendered next year it will be a three way tussle between Go North West, Diamond North West and Stagecoach Manchester (Wigan Depot) as to who takes it, unless Arriva North West decide to have another go, after all they are helping First Manchester now so that would make sense, and they where runners up in the bid that started in 2016, also much easier possibly to TUPE drivers over as no change in place of work and also possibly no change in immediate managers.

With regards to Oldham, I would think the answer maybe do nothing and wait for Franchising, if it goes ahead again do nothing but not bid for routes and just close it down that may and get compensation off TfGM/Mayor of Greater Manchester if Stagecoach wins any Court action it takes against TfGM/Mayor. If First pulls out now it gets no Compensation if it remains it could get a large £m payout, if Stagecoach win there proposed action. Hence the reason why they have held on to Oldham for now.

Vantage I feel will not be re-tendered but be the test / first stage of routes under the new plans for Gtr Manchester. First could look at keeping it mind you with a deal as they had Luton rail link running off a depot in Essex with buses parked up on a car park