Badgerline merger undertakings review

The CMA reviewed undertakings given by Badgerline Holdings Ltd following its merger with Midland Red West Holdings Ltd in 1989.

Administrative timetable

Phase 1 date Action
14 July 2017 Publish final decision
9 June 2017 Publish and consult on provisional decision
February to April 2017 Evidence gathering
31 January 2017 Review launched and initial request for evidence

Final decision

14 July 2017: The CMA did not receive any responses to the consultation on its provisional decision. The CMA has therefore decided to release undertakings given in 1989 by Badgerline Holdings Ltd, now FirstGroup Holdings Ltd, relating to the completed acquisition by Badgerline Holdings Ltd of Midland Red West Holdings Ltd, subsequently amended and given by FirstBus plc in 1996.

Provisional decision

9 June: The CMA has provisionally decided that undertakings given in 1989 by Badgerline Holdings Ltd, now FirstGroup Holdings Ltd, relating to the completed acquisition by Badgerline Holdings Ltd of Midland Red West Holdings Ltd, subsequently amended and given by FirstBus plc in 1996, should be released.

Review group appointed

2 February 2017: The CMA appointed the group for the review of the undertakings on 1 February 2017.

Submission

Decision to undertake review

31 January 2017: The CMA has decided to review the undertakings given in 1989 by Badgerline Holdings Ltd, now FirstGroup Holdings Limited, arising from its acquisition of Midland Red West Holdings Ltd (trading as City Line). These undertakings were subsequently amended and given by FirstBus plc in 1996. The undertakings were given to address competition concerns in the market for tendered bus services in the Greater Bristol area.

Contacts

Project director

James Lambert (james.lambert@cma.gsi.gov.uk, 020 3738 6822)

Senior responsible officer

Adam Land (adam.land@cma.gsi.gov.uk, 020 3738 6172)

Updates to this page

Published 31 January 2017
Last updated 14 July 2017 + show all updates
  1. Final decision published.

  2. Provisional decision published.

  3. Review group appointments added.

  4. First published.