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LCR to Secure Bus Depots in Major Franchising Move

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Bus services across the Liverpool City Region are set for a major transformation, with plans for a fully publicly-run bus network moving forward at pace. The introduction of a franchised system will see services brought under public control for the first time in nearly 40 years, promising more frequent buses, better connections and improved infrastructure. Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Franchising is Coming Sooner Than Planned You’ve probably heard about the move to bus franchising—where routes, fares and timetables will be planned by the public sector rather than private companies—but here’s what’s happening next. The first phase kicks off in St Helens and Wirral, with the new system up and running by September 2026. The whole region should be fully franchised by the end of 2027, a year ahead of schedule. Mayor Steve Rotheram, said: “Reliable, regular, and affordable buses are the backbone of a great public transport system. They connect people to work, education, and each ...
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FirstGroup Expands with Acquisition of Shropshire’s Lakeside Group

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FirstGroup plc has just added another name to its growing portfolio, snapping up the Shropshire-based Lakeside Group. This move comes hot on the heels of First Bus’s acquisition earlier in the week of Anderson Travel, a central London coach company.

A row of four white and green buses, operated by Lakeside Group, is parked neatly in a depot setting. Each coach is labeled with "Lakeside" on the front and offers school and private hire services. They are lined up side by side under a clear blue sky.
First Group

Lakeside, known for its local brands Lakeside Coaches, Merediths Coaches, and A. T. Brown Coaches, operates a fleet of about 145 vehicles across Shropshire, Telford, and South Cheshire. 

The business mainly brings in revenue from school and private hires, with a mix of local bus services, tours, and B2B contracts rounding out its income. In the last financial year, Lakeside generated approximately £12.5 million in revenue, with earnings around £2.5 million.

With Neal Hall staying on as Managing Director to oversee day-to-day operations and Lakeside owner Gareth Davies taking a lead role as part of the First Bus team, Lakeside will be well-integrated into FirstGroup’s coaching strategy. The company has been on a steady growth path, with First Bus now adding annual revenues close to £100 million and earnings of around £13 million across its new acquisitions.

FirstGroup’s CEO, Graham Sutherland, shared his excitement over the acquisition, saying,

“The acquisition of Lakeside, a profitable business with excellent growth potential, builds on our recent acquisitions in First Bus. The addition to our portfolio will not only grow our position in adjacent services, but it will also allow us to enter new regions which is key to the overall First Bus strategy.”

As First Bus continues to expand its presence across the UK, these recent acquisitions reflect a clear strategy: growing its reach in both city centres and regional areas. With more opportunities on the horizon, First Bus seems set on carving out an even bigger share of the UK’s coach and bus industry.

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