Badgerline merger undertakings review

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

• From: Competition and Markets Authority
• Published: 31 January 2017
• Last updated: 14 July 2017 — See all updates

• Case type: Reviews of orders and undertakings
• Case state: Closed
• Market sector: Transport
• Opened: 31 January 2017
• Closed: 14 July 2017

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.

• Final decision (14.7.17)
• Notice of release of undertakings (14.7.17)
• News story: Bristol buses released from undertakings by CMA (14.7.17)

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.

• Provisional decision (9.6.17)
• Notice of intention to release undertakings (9.6.17)
• News story: CMA set to remove bus undertakings in Bristol (9.6.17)

Review group appointed

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

• Anne Lambert, Simon Polito and Sarah Chambers

Submission

• FirstGroup Holdings Ltd (31.1.17)

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.

• Decision statement (31.1.17)
• Badgerline undertakings given in 1989
• Amended undertakings given by FirstBus plc in 1996
• News story: CMA reviews FirstGroup bus undertakings in Bristol (31.1.17)

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)

Published 31 January 2017
Last updated 14 July 2017 + show all updates

1. 14 July 2017

   Final decision published.

2. 9 June 2017

   Provisional decision published.

3. 2 February 2017

   Review group appointments added.

4. 31 January 2017

   First published.