CHANGE OF OWNERSHIP FOR BUS COMPANY THAT SERVES GRIMSBY, CLEETHORPES AND BEYOND

                                                        

Drivers jobs safe after Stagecopach takeover

THE company that runs most of the bus services in North East Lincolnshire has been taken over.

It emerged today that Stagecoach has been snapped up by bus and coach group National Express  in a £438-million deal that will bring together two of the UK’s largest public transport firms.

The combined entity will have a fleet of about 40,000 vehicles and a workforce of around 70,000.

Around 50 staff - most in desk-based admin, IT and management roles - will be released as a result of the takeover 

However, the wil lbe no front-line job losses, such as among drivers, nor depot closures.

Ironically, 12 years ago, National Express rejected a proposed takeover by Stagecoach.

Says Stagecoach's chief executive Martin Griffiths: "This is an exciting opportunity to bring together two of the UK’s iconic transport brands to create a strong, diverse business that is well-placed to grow the market for greener and smarter public transport for the benefit of all stakeholders.”

Stagecoach is the UK's largest bus and coach operator.

National Express, by contrast, has bus and coach networks across the UK and Spain, while it also runs school bus services in America and a rail franchise in Germany.