(16 Jul 2018, 4:06 pm)Andreos1 wrote Operators accused of holding TfGM to random over fleet modernisation.

https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/...ssion=true

I was in Manchester earlier and observed how shabby the bus fleets are looking, particularly First. Vantage aside, First haven't already had a new vehicle in over four years. A fleet the size of Manchester they need to introduce around 30 new buses a year just to keep the fleet average age stable. By starving the fleet of investment they'll find themselves in tricky situation in a few years when the fleet will require replacing en-mass and First Group won't be able to finance it, if last year's results are anything to go by. 

What could happen? Either franchising goes ahead and First lose market share by default, or lack of investment means First continue chipping the edges away from their commercial network with the pieces picked up by Transdev, Rotala, HCT and the independent sector.