FirstGroup agrees to buy Ensign Bus Company Limited

[Wumpty]

FirstGroup plc has announced that it has signed an agreement to buy Ensign Bus Company:

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/coach-and-bus-week-limited_breaking-news-firstgroup-plc-has-today-announced-activity-7028992296645730305-Qn_v?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop

NB: The Ensignbus heritage fleet is excluded from this transaction.

[the trainbasher]

Tbh I wouldn't be surprised if we see more independents selling up to the groups over the next 12 months

[Rachvince53]

I agree. Given declining passenger numbers which in my view the lock down accelerated, I think more small companies will either close or sell out. 

[winston]

I'm surprised First Group are buying the Ensign Bus Sales part & large Purfleet depot too, would have expected them to be more interested in just buying Ensign's Bus operations and move the fleet & routes into existing First Essex depots or re-locate to a smaller depot near Grays / Purfleet etc.

That said, First Group have been taking a number of midlife ex London E400's & B9TL Gemini's for Essex, FSY, FWY, Buses in Somerset, Kernow etc recently.

[the trainbasher]

I'm surprised First Group are buying the Ensign Bus Sales part & large Purfleet depot too, would have expected them to be more interested in just buying Ensign's Bus operations and move the fleet & routes into existing First Essex depots or re-locate to a smaller depot near Grays / Purfleet etc.

That said, First Group have been taking a number of midlife ex London E400's & B9TL Gemini's for Essex, FSY, FWY, Buses in Somerset, Kernow etc recently.

I think the purchase of the bus sales part is logical to be fair, especially with the second hand purchases, plus it gives them an in house operation similar to Hants and Dorset trim, meaning they could sell their services to other operators 

[winston]

I think the purchase of the bus sales part is logical to be fair, especially with the second hand purchases, plus it gives them an in house operation similar to Hants and Dorset trim, meaning they could sell their services to other operators 

They've had an in-house commercial refurbishment unit before based at FSY Rotherham, that was shutdown as part of FSY cost cutting measures.