FirstGroup undertakings review

The CMA reviewed the undertakings in relation to the completed acquisition by FirstGroup plc of SB Holdings Ltd.

• From: Competition and Markets Authority
• Published: 16 February 2016
• Last updated: 20 April 2016 — See all updates

• Case type: Reviews of orders and undertakings
• Case state: Closed
• Market sector: Transport
• Opened: 30 October 2015
• Closed: 20 April 2016

Administrative timetable

• Published on 24 November 2015, as required by the CMA’s approach to the variation of existing remedies (CMA11). Any revisions made to the timetable will be published on this website.

Date	Action
20 April 2016	Final decision published
15 March 2016	Provisional decision published
18 December 2015	Final deadline for all parties responses/submissions required before provisional decision
November 2015 to January 2016	Consideration and analysis of written submissions and other evidence
November 2015	Publish statement of issues
30 October 2015	Publication of CMA decision to undertake a review

Contact

firstgroup.undertakings@cma.gsi.gov.uk

Final decision to release undertakings

20 April 2016: Following consultation, the CMA has decided that FirstGroup plc should be released from its undertakings.

• Final decision (20.4.16)
• Notice of release from undertakings (20.4.16)
• Press release: CMA releases FirstGroup plc bus undertakings (20.4.16)

Provisional decision to release undertakings

15 March 2016: The CMA has provisionally decided that undertakings given by FirstGroup plc, relating to the completed acquisition by FirstBus plc of SB Holdings Ltd in 1996, should be released.

• Provisional decision (15.3.16)
• Notice of intention to release undertakings (15.3.16)
• Press release: CMA set to release FirstGroup plc bus undertakings (15.3.16)

Hearing summaries

As part of its evidence-gathering process, the CMA is holding formal hearings with a range of industry participants and interested parties.

• Traffic Commissioner for Scotland (15.3.16)
• Lothian Buses (9.3.16)
• SEStran, Falkirk Council and East Lothian Council (9.3.16)
• SPT (9.3.16)
• Age Scotland (16.2.16)
• McGill’s Buses (16.2.16)
• Stagecoach (16.2.16)
• Transport Focus (16.2.16)

Response to issues statement

• FirstGroup (15.2.16)

Issues statement

25 November 2015: The issues statement identifies the issues the panel members propose to focus on and invites views on these, as well as any areas not covered.

• Issues statement (25.11.15)
• Press release: CMA publishes issues statement for FirstGroup review (25.11.15)

Review group appointed

30 October 2015: The CMA has appointed the group for the review of the order.

Phil Evans (Chair), Jayne Scott, and Roger Finbow.

Decision to undertake review

30 October 2015: Following consultation, the CMA has decided to review the undertakings in relation to the completed acquisition by FirstGroup plc of SB Holdings Ltd.

The review will consider whether there has been any change of circumstances such that any of the current undertakings should be varied or revoked.

• Decision statement (30.10.15)
• Press release: CMA to review Scottish bus undertakings (30.10.15)
• Consultation on review (7.9.15)

Published 16 February 2016
Last updated 20 April 2016 + show all updates

1. 20 April 2016

   Final decision published.

2. 15 March 2016

   Provisional decision and hearing summary published.

3. 9 March 2016

   Hearing summaries published.

4. 16 February 2016

   Hearing summaries published.