The fortunes of Brian Souter's firm seem to have closely followed those of privatised public transport in the UK. It is testament to their dwindling empires that the proposed merger of Stagecoach and National Express, the UK's biggest rail and bus operators not so long ago, will not unduly trouble the competition authority. Stagecoach, which a decade back looked to swallow up National Express, now is set to be subsumed by its rival. The turnaround in its fortunes has been influenced by foreign ventures, and the pandemic has magnified all of its problems. But the firm's journey has notably followed the arc of privatised public transport in Britain.
(Permalink) Bus Franchise Merger National Express Railway Stagecoach

National Express is set to sell its last British rail franchise to the Italian state operator FS.
Trenitalia, part of FS Italiane Group, will acquire the c2c franchise for some £70 million, yielding a 'small net profit' for the Group. The deal is subject to the consent of the Department for Transport, and existing c2c management and staff are to be retained.
It will also mark the exit of National Express from the franchised rail sector in Britain, although it still has the concession to operate Midland Metro trams. At one time National Express held the largest number of franchises, which included ScotRail, Midland Mainline and Central Trains.
(Permalink) Midland Mainline Midland Metro National Express ScotRail Trenitalia c2c