Stagecoach Manchester

[gilesbus1]

RE: Stagecoach Manchester
I would expect any OFT investigation now to be a normal course of action, lets not forget McGills take-over of Arriva Scotland West and Arriva MIdlands takeover of Midland from D & G have also attacted investigations.

These are a result of the report last year into competition in the bus industry which basically stated any purcahse by a large group of anything would be subject to refferal.

As there is no takeover on teh take at this stage for any Wigan Area Independsent operators there is no case to answer as no monopoly is being created, in fact its produced more operators in the Leigh Area.

In the unlikely event a disposal was ordered it would be unlikely any investment could be reclamed by Stagecoach as the MMC would set the terms of agreement which normally insiosts that present buses are passed to a new operator. Also it would be Stagecoach's job to sell it on it would not be subject to any return to FirstGroup unless in the unlilely event they wanted to buy it back.
However all the above is unlikely.

However it is liklely that an investigation will be launched also into the take-over of Chester and Wirral operations similarly if this is the case with this take-over.

Also the repaint programme is halted until results of this take-over are known and it may be liklely that a halt to any fleet changes may be made so plenty of chance to ride on B10BLE's and Dennis Arrows for a while yet.