GHA Group (Bryn Melyn, Vale Travel + Others)

[Mayneway]

RE: GHA Group (Bryn Melyn, Vale Travel + Others)

(17/09/2016 08:51)knutstransport Wrote:  I think GHA wrongly thought as Network Warrington were a council owned business they would be vulnerable in the current environment and didn't expect them to continue running hourly services between Northwich and Warrington if there was competition.

They did copy a lot of the dirty tactics Stagecoach have used in the past:
1. Using buses in liveries which looked like they belong to their rival i.e. the plain red Wright Renowns replaced by the red Metrocities.
2. Timetabling services to run just ahead of their rival.
3. Blocking bus stands to try and prevent their rival picking up passengers.

The only difference being GHA didn't manage to force Network Warrington off the route or force them to sell the business - which was often the end outcome Stagecoach achieved.

I agree to a point but GHA would have been daft to assume Network Warrington were vunerable. Although there at 'arms length' from the council recent reports have suggested he council is happy to bail them out.

I think most bus operators over the years have used similar tactics not just stagecoach and certainly on Manchester, stagecoach only attacked if they were attacked first.

Could it be argued that GHA wernt in a financial position to buy a company as big as network Warrington? Don't forget their tax bill was alledgedly the result of several years unpaid tax so although they looked like they were doing well, they possibly wernt as sound as people thought.