FirstGroup bus sales ‘next month’ (Read 10,545 times)

[mainline]

FirstGroup is likely to make an announcement next month on the bus subsidiaries it is to sell to raise cash. FirstGroup’s attempt to sell its North Devon operations to rival Stagecoach was thwarted this summer after the Office of Fair Trading announced it was referring the sale to the Competition Commission because of concerns the sale would reduce competition.

Full story available at: www.transportxtra.com/magazines/local_transport_today/news/?id=32376

[jt]

It just been reported that the Time scale for the sell off has been scarped due to issues.
www.passengertransport.co.uk/latest-issue

Main reason? Interested parties saw limited value in the depots for sales. I think we all know which ones there talking about ( most were not on that list)

On better News Glasgow is getting 40 new buses shortly when Even more new buses due shortly. South Wales is also due to get new and refurbished buses to get the average fleet to 8 years. At least Improvements are being made to some part of the operations.

[jt]

Linlithgow Depot in First Edinburgh is getting closed from the 19th November. Musselburgh is also looked to be also getting closed down shortly, but that could change again.

[jt]

Tomorrow Friday 18th There is supposedly announcement due to be made about First Edinburgh.

[Deleted]

We all waited for it......but it never came. Had a good look through the accounts of FSE managing to turn a £1.2million profit into a £4million loss though whilst we were waiting.

[jt]

This may come as a surprised but Cumbernauld will be closing down after all, from middle of may in connection with Wide ranging review of First Glasgow operations.

For Details about the review: www.firstgroup.com/ukbus/new_service_updates/attach_1361203816_15601_May%20service%20change%20information.pdf

As you can see most routes will be withdrawn from the town of Cumbernauld with the remaining being moved to the three other depots in the company.

No jobs loses or PVP will take place and a formal announcement will be made once the service changes have been dealt with in a few weeks time .

[jt]

www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/bus-giant-to-alter-route-plans-but-cant-say-how-117813n.20429325

* First, meanwhile, is to close its Cumbernauld depot

* Up to 185 workers will be affected.

News of the other depots under threat will all depend on costs, OFT, etc. but are not out of the woods yet....

[The Captain]

First Northampton has been sold.

[duncan]

Mar 13, 2013 19:19:43 GMT The Captain said:

First Northampton has been sold.

Any idea who to? There were rumours of UNO and centrebus alongside the silly ones like stagecoach.

[The Captain]

Official notice posted today-didnt get time to read it properly.

[duncan]

Mar 13, 2013 20:26:45 GMT The Captain said:

Official notice posted today-didnt get time to read it properly.

Ta, will check it out tomorrow.to get the official version.

[Arriva Wakefield]

From a friend in Northampton who I asked if they had heard anything

Really? I wonder who to?

My money would be on UNO, or possibly Centrebus if Arriva back them up :
Can't see them taking it on their own, as they are a bit skintight I hear

Just spoke to a mate in Northampton (who works for Stagey)
Apparently they had an unannounced visit from top brass yesterday. letters are supposed to have gone in their lockers today but hadn't when most went to work[\quote]

[The Captain]

Had time to digest the notice and basically no one wants Northampton and staff should brace themselves for redundancys.

[dougie]

Mar 14, 2013 19:24:48 GMT The Captain said:

Had time to digest the notice and basically no one wants Northampton and staff should brace themselves for redundancys.

Sad news for staff involved since this obviously means no obligation for another operator to take them on - its a horrible time to be out of work.

Makes me glad that the South Yorkshire operations don't appear to have these worries.

To be fair to Stagecoach/ UNO etc, the Dalkeith/ Barnstaple "sales" shows there's little incentive for another operator to buy First out when they can come along and pick up the pieces for free.

[Arriva Wakefield]

Think this pretty leaves the door open for Stagecoach to register what they want.

I can see them going for the Kingsthorpe corridor (4 & 4A), Kettering Road & Rectory Farm (2), Shelfleys (27) and Camp Hill (12) as they already have a significant presence there and would be able to integrate the current services and provide a better network.

The Kings Heath services (29 & 30), not so sure about - maybe Stagecoach may decide to let Meridian Bus carry on nibbling away at First on these runs.