|
Post by moz on Feb 26, 2012 14:26:55 GMT
|
|
|
Post by lc1 on Feb 26, 2012 21:28:20 GMT
Strange as I would't have thought GAG was skint what with buying Carousel in the week, reckon its more like we can't bid as we would have a monopoly.
|
|
|
Post by snoggle on Feb 27, 2012 19:16:56 GMT
Strange as I would't have thought GAG was skint what with buying Carousel in the week, reckon its more like we can't bid as we would have a monopoly. If Go Ahead were to try to buy First London's east London depots it would be perilously close to 25% of the market. I understand TfL will not allow any one operator to have more than 25% of the market. TfL would have to consent to the sale as it has done for other sales / purchases. Clearly 25% isn't really a monopoly but it would mean much less competition for tenders. I can't see who else would want to buy the First opertions and who has sufficient money and expertise to do so if Stagecoach have really fully withdrawn rather than pulled out to see if they can force First back to the table with a lower price.
|
|
|
Post by ServerKing on Feb 27, 2012 19:32:29 GMT
I don't know when Ernst & Young will tell us who they have sold this operation to if anything does happen by 'spring' as it ambiguously says in that news article... I haven't read of that anywhere else, funnily enough They've invested in a lot of new stock in these garages of late... that's a lot to be cascaded out if they leave the London scene
|
|
|
Post by snoggle on Feb 28, 2012 10:53:46 GMT
It's a very interesting time. CT+ seem to be expanding and also should not rule out the likes of RATP or Abelllio. First may have invested in a lot of new stock but it is likely that they are leased so the overall cost of buses would not be to effective on the company as the new operator or operators would take over the lease. I do find it odd that it has only been on one news article but we shall see what the end of the week brings. As for GAG they could always sell Metrobus as a possibility to keep their market share of London under 25%. Or could we see the return of East Thames Buses? Now that would be interesting and nice to see the return of the ETB operation I'd be a bit surprised if GAG were to sell Metrobus. It's a good fit with their general philosophy and is a blend of commercial and contracted work. It also ties in with their London and Brighton operations and feeds Southern trains. I confess I hadn't considered RATP or Abellio and both are possibilities given the bottomless pit of foreign public sector money they can get their hands on ;D I suppose we shouldn't forget that Veolia Transdev will want rid of London Sovereign at some point. I imagine RATP London United might be keen to get that operation back given they owned it for a fair while.
|
|
|
Post by twobellstogo on Feb 28, 2012 11:01:23 GMT
Strange as I would't have thought GAG was skint what with buying Carousel in the week, reckon its more like we can't bid as we would have a monopoly. Sounds much more likely than being skint! I wonder if Comfort DelGro would be interested, in addition to the other companies mentioned?...
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 28, 2012 11:15:21 GMT
ct plus are you mad this not for profit organisation.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 28, 2012 11:24:39 GMT
I confess I hadn't considered RATP or Abellio and both are possibilities given the bottomless pit of foreign public sector money they can get their hands on ;D I suppose we shouldn't forget that Veolia Transdev will want rid of London Sovereign at some point. I imagine RATP London United might be keen to get that operation back given they owned it for a fair while. I would have thought once Veolia exit Veolia Transdev, Transdev would be looking to expand their London operations rather than disposing of it. Not read all the posts whist I have been away ... but this story (the First one) appears to be the most surprising ... but wonder how much truth there is in it as it has not been picked up by the bigger publications.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 28, 2012 11:56:33 GMT
At the end of the day , selling a bus operation with three garages in east London is not going to be mainstream news. The Scots will report on it because stagecoach is perhaps one the most high profile scottish companies, with first also headquartered in scotland, at aberdeen !
Nobody will buy these operations if the sale price is too high. if it comes down, one would presume stagecoach may make a different offer ?
I agree though about TFL , I would imagine they would want a non existing east London operator to take over, thus ensuring some sort of competition.
London Sovereign have proven adept at taking routes away from Metroline recently, therefore their prices are lower. Abellio also are using a winning formula for obtaining new contracts.
If you use the 25% rule, this rules out Go Ahead and Arriva.
So, Abellio, RATP dev, Transdev, Stagecoach, Comfort DelGro are possibles from existing London market.
|
|
|
Post by joefrombow on Feb 28, 2012 18:11:18 GMT
At the end of the day , selling a bus operation with three garages in east London is not going to be mainstream news. The Scots will report on it because stagecoach is perhaps one the most high profile scottish companies, with first also headquartered in scotland, at aberdeen ! Nobody will buy these operations if the sale price is too high. if it comes down, one would presume stagecoach may make a different offer ? I agree though about TFL , I would imagine they would want a non existing east London operator to take over, thus ensuring some sort of competition. London Sovereign have proven adept at taking routes away from Metroline recently, therefore their prices are lower. Abellio also are using a winning formula for obtaining new contracts. If you use the 25% rule, this rules out Go Ahead and Arriva. So, Abellio, RATP dev, Transdev, Stagecoach, Comfort DelGro are possibles from existing London market. I'm not positive but i think the First Capital East operation is only Dagenham Garage, Lea Interchange and Northumberland park are First Capital North so it if true would only be the one depot for sale maybe a bit like what they done with Orpington buses .
|
|
|
Post by Jack on Feb 29, 2012 10:37:41 GMT
Take this as a pinch of salt but I am hearing reports this morning that Northumberland park depot has offically been sold to Go Ahead. Any Go Ahead staff who can confirm this?
|
|
|
Post by Late Again on Feb 29, 2012 10:47:47 GMT
I don't think anything should be seen to be believed untill a official press statement has been seen. To much hearsay and not enough facts. I say Take this as a pinch of salt but I am hearing reports this morning that Northumberland park depot has offically been sold to Go Ahead. Any Go Ahead staff who can confirm this?
|
|
|
Post by Jack on Feb 29, 2012 10:49:58 GMT
I don't think anything should be seen to be believed untill a official press statement has been seen. To much hearsay and not enough facts. I say Take this as a pinch of salt but I am hearing reports this morning that Northumberland park depot has offically been sold to Go Ahead. Any Go Ahead staff who can confirm this? Hence I asked someone to confirm from Go-Ahead ;D
|
|
|
Post by vjaska on Feb 29, 2012 13:38:48 GMT
Looking at the First London thread on here, the statement about Go Ahead purchasing Northumberland Park seems like its true. I'm sure Stagecoach are slightly kicking theirselves.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 29, 2012 14:34:50 GMT
i think dagenham would suit them better if is true.
|
|