Mobico Group (formerly NX Group)

[the trainbasher]

To be honest, I don't get why National Express don't just move all their fleets into a single fleet numbering system, similar to Stagecoach and First, as you've got TKF E400Cities (the ones on sublease for the Harry Potter contract to Mullanys) in the WM sequence, some of the NX coaches in the WM sequence, NEAT has its own sequence and then there's the mess that's the NETS sequence.

[winston]

To be honest, I don't get why National Express don't just move all their fleets into a single fleet numbering system, similar to Stagecoach and First, as you've got TKF E400Cities (the ones on sublease for the Harry Potter contract to Mullanys) in the WM sequence, some of the NX coaches in the WM sequence, NEAT has its own sequence and then there's the mess that's the NETS sequence.

You also have Woods at Wigston with NETS fleet numbers, then Woods NX coaches at Aston & Park Lane with WMT fleetnumbers, but Woods Aston NETS coaches have NETS fleet numbers.....
Numerous coaches still carry LA2** or SH2** fleet numbers as well as there WMT or NETS fleet numbers. 

[BN]

You also have Woods at Wigston with NETS fleet numbers, then Woods NX coaches at Aston & Park Lane with WMT fleetnumbers, but Woods Aston NETS coaches have NETS fleet numbers.....
Numerous coaches still carry LA2** or SH2** fleet numbers as well as there WMT or NETS fleet numbers.

Got 4986 here and even that carries EK09 as well

[Rachvince53]

Do you think further asset stripping will occur?

[Coventrybususer95]

Do you think further asset stripping will occur?

Could we see the sale of NATS or NEAT to help recover loses 

[Stu]

Do you think further asset stripping will occur?

Could we see the sale of NATS or NEAT to help recover loses

I would think it more likely that the UK Bus division could be offloaded, especially if the new management can't turn around their fortunes. But really in the current climate, who would want to takeover NX West Midlands and Coventry?

Realistically, I think they'll sit tight and wait to see what happens with bus franchising here.

[the trainbasher]

I would think it more likely that the UK Bus division could be offloaded, especially if the new management can't turn around their fortunes. But really in the current climate, who would want to takeover NX West Midlands and Coventry?

Realistically, I think they'll sit tight and wait to see what happens with bus franchising here.

Before the purchase of Stagecoach by their current owners, i would have said them, as Souter always wanted NX Bus/operations in Brum.

[winston]

Got 4986 here and even that carries EK09 as well

TKF 49125 only carries EK12, it doesn't even carry its current fleetnumber.

Lucketts still number their coaches in their old format i.e. Worthing Coaches 55-60-55 instead of 5560, plus there's numerous existing Lucketts coaches displaying X560556 on the front & X5605 above the front windscreen.

Based on the mess that is the NETS fleet numbering, I'm assuming that is also why attempting to bring all day trip & holidays across NETS together under the 'Touromo' Brand has also failed miserably.

Before the purchase of Stagecoach by their current owners, i would have said them, as Souter always wanted NX Bus/operations in Brum.

If Stagecoach did still want a West Midlands based operation & a Birmingham depot, they could make an offer for Rotala Group.

Do you think further asset stripping will occur?

Rather than sell their US School Bus operation at a time when it isn't very profitable, I think Mobico should consider a friendly merger with First Group, this would give Mobico the scale in UK Bus & First Group are also debt free.

[Rachvince53]

TKF 49125 only carries EK12, it doesn't even carry its current fleetnumber.

Lucketts still number their coaches in their old format i.e. Worthing Coaches 55-60-55 instead of 5560, plus there's numerous existing Lucketts coaches displaying X560556 on the front & X5605 above the front windscreen.

Based on the mess that is the NETS fleet numbering, I'm assuming that is also why attempting to bring all day trip & holidays across NETS together under the 'Touromo' Brand has also failed miserably.
If Stagecoach did still want a West Midlands based operation & a Birmingham depot, they could make an offer for Rotala Group.
Rather than sell their US School Bus operation at a time when it isn't very profitable, I think Mobico should consider a friendly merger with First Group, this would give Mobico the scale in UK Bus & First Group are also debt free.

Wouldn't that be a problem with one of the rail franchises having Firstgroup involvement? 

[winston]

Wouldn't that be a problem with one of the rail franchises having Firstgroup involvement?

Which rail franchises? 

[busfan2847]

Which rail franchises?

First operates four franchises – Avanti West Coast (70%), Great Western Railway (GWR), South Western Railway (SWR) (70%) and open access passenger service, Hull Trains.

[winston]

First operates four franchises – Avanti West Coast (70%), Great Western Railway (GWR), South Western Railway (SWR) (70%) and open access passenger service, Hull Trains.

Yes, I know. But they're mostly just management contracts. 

I don't see where there would be an issue, unless you're referring to NX Coach routes & potential competition issues? 

[Tony]

First operates four franchises – Avanti West Coast (70%), Great Western Railway (GWR), South Western Railway (SWR) (70%) and open access passenger service, Hull Trains.

And Open access Lumo

[winston]

The Cosmens have increased their stake in Mobico Group by +1% to 13.04%

https://www.londonstockexchange.com/news-article/MCG/holding-s-in-company/16240540

Interestingly, they're increasing their stake now, but chose not to take part in the 2020 Covid Placing at 230p, seems like a good move.... 

[winston]

Mobico senior executives have once again rattled the stock market by delaying FY results due to 'accounting judgments' in the German Rail business:
https://www.ft.com/content/f2730420-fbda-499c-ab4c-a64a36893f3a

Alex Jenson on UK bus & coach strategy:
https://www.route-one.net/news/data-and-investment-a-work-in-progress-for-national-express/