Arriva North West - Bolton Depot

[Metroline1511]

RE: Arriva North West - Bolton Depot

(02/05/2015 20:27)Dentonian Wrote:  I'm not sure what you mean "sell the right to service 10" to First? The 10 is a commercial service and if Arriva were to pull out of Bolton without either transferring to another depot or simply de-registering" then the CMA would intervene to stop First having a monopoly. Rotala would still be too small to be of relevance. As for transferring the 10 to WY, I suppose it is possible, but would be problematic in terms of dead running and the fact there is limited cover for 'deckers there. Its one thing keeping 14 year old Presidents out in the elements, but I doubt they would want to risk hybrids in that way.

What I had in mind was a comparison with when EYMS sold the Finglands network to First but not the vehicles. You are right that the CMA might intervene, unless Arriva simply dump the route and First register a replacement service. A bit like when the OFT blocked the sale of First Barnstaple to Stagecoach but could not prevent First dumping the routes and Stagecoach registering replacements.

As Rotala recently took over South Lancs Travel, Arriva Bolton could be a good bolt-on acquisition, if you pardon the pun!