[tkboomer2]

It seems Arriva, First, National Express, Serco and Stagecoach will finish up running all the profitable public transport in the country including trains.

Arriva, First and Stagecoach all run buses as well as trains. Those companies like taking over smaller bus companies then are quick to axe non-profitable routes which almost always seem to then be snatched up by another smaller company. Which suggests they are interested too much in profits and not enough in customer satisfaction.

It's been reported in certain areas, in the past couple of weeks in Preston, that if Stagecoach make an offer for a bus company and the bus company turns it down then Stagecoach refuse to take no for an answer. What's happened in Preston is that Stagecoach have reportedly set up a company under a what sounds like a local company's name and are running identical routes to the bus company that they wanted to take over but charging less for tickets. An MP for Preston has said that this is likely to cause an accident or even death as buses race round to make sure they get as many passengers as possible.

Watchdog did a report on National Express a few months ago saying how they had let down certain passengers. However, I've never had a problem with one of their coaches, but have had a problem on one occasion with it's Central Trains franchisee.

I think generally First are doing an OK job with trains. At least they are refurbishing trains and getting new ones made unlike other companies. I have had numerous problems with their buses though, such as them not turning up or the driver not being helpful with fare information.

And if you judge Serco on Northern Rail and Merseyrail, then I could go on forever.