First Group Disposals

[Metroline1511]

RE: First Group Disposals
It is quite harsh of the OFT to refer the North Devon proposal to the CC. For many years the network was all run by First and neither the OFT nor the CC minded the monopoly. They seem to think worse of Stagecoach than anyone else having a monopoly anywhere, as they demonstared in Preston.

First could get round it by de-registering routes that overlap with Stagecoach and then seeling the reduced remaining operation (including route X9 Exeter-Bude) to Stagecoach, who could then increase services where First have dropped the routes.

There are other operators in the Barnstaple area, such as Holsworthy Bus, Jacketts Coaches and Quantock Motor Services. All the more reason why the OFT seem to be over-reacting.

I admit that I do like the idea of First retaining the most modern stock, such as the leather-seated Enviro 400s on route X9, and redeploying these elsewhere in the area.