(18 Feb 2025, 12:10 pm)L469 YVK wrote I still standby my opinion on the E400MMC allocations but that's kinda another debate 

If the CMA didn't allow NECA to run the existing operations fully as an arms length company, could they not take a 49% stake with maybe another bus operator (i.e Metroline) taking the other 51%?

Not really relevant to this thread, but as a point of clarity, it's not the CMA that's stopping them. It's law, and predominantly section 22 of the Bus Services Act 2017. See here: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2017/21/section/22

Part of the Bus Services (No. 2) Bill, which is making it's way through the Lords at the moment, would omit this if it becomes law. It'd also tidy up older legislation that outlaws this from happening at present. See: https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3910