With this news I can see Transdev hot on the heels of First on corridors like Halifax - Todmorden and Halifax - Huddersfield.
Transdev generally try to work with other operators rather than compete (apart from one obvious example) but maybe this time they will go for them.
I think a Halifax - Huddersfield express route has been missing for a while and could really attract custom, when from experience; a lot of 503 passengers are end to end journeys.
I don't see it and for the reason you say; Transdev don't tend to enter the fray against other operators in direct competition. So Todmorden to Halifax.... not for me. Now, going in for tenders and developing the business with something like a fast service from Halifax to Huddersfield..... Transdev will want to develop the business and they will look at the opportunities to expand.
It does look like DB are willing to sell of part of the Arriva UK operations after all, which seems to be a sea change for trying to find a single buyer. Might we see further actions like this?
I think we already knew that, given the sale of the Cannock depot in January to Peddle.
AFAIK, there were a few piecemeal sales lined up but the pandemic has put some of those into question. However, the breaking up of Arriva isn't on the agenda.
It does look like a perfect fit to all the operations to be merged into Transdev.
I disagree that it's "a perfect fit". Waterloo depot has seemingly suffered from a lack of critical mass and it's not like there's a huge number of strong services as a base. It some respects, there's a geographic fit in that it's more West Yorkshire stuff but Halifax and Huddersfield are distinct from Keighley. I can see the logic but I am a little surprised that Transdev has bought it but not that Arriva has sold it.
It's a shame Stagecoach didn't decide to buy it, as we could have seen some proper competition then. Plus it would have been a first for Stagecoach operating around Halifax and Calderdale, giving First Halifax a run for their money.
Well seeing as they didn't want Waterloo depot when they purchased YT, selling it to Centrebus, then I highly doubt it. What makes you think that Stagecoach fancy competing with First in West Yorkshire?
Gotta feel a bit for the longer serving staff at Waterloo, having been with Tracky who were purchased by Stagecoach. No real change but then to Centrebus, then to Yorkshire Tiger, and then to Transdev. However, it was always a bit of an outpost with Tracky. It was opportunistic for Centrebus but with Yorkshire Tiger, it seemed to be one of those activities that were entered into with great hope but soon began to suffer from lack of managerial focus.
@Andyh82 has called it right enough.... a mere stepping stone to some and an incumbrance to others
If it were First, people would be (rightly) calling them out for it but Arriva have a lot of form for similar purchases (see Chase Bus, TGM/Classic)
