OFT gives green light for First’s Finglands deal

COMPETITION regulators have approved the acquisition of Manchester bus company Finglands by First Group.

The £50,000 deal was announced in August 2013 , but was subject to clearance from the Office of Fair Trading, which has now been granted.

Finglands, owned by the Hull-based East Yorkshire Motor Services group since 1992, operates routes and school contracts in south Manchester.

Dave Alexander, regional managing director for First, said: “This acquisition demonstrates our commitment to Greater Manchester and represents an excellent opportunity to further grow bus passenger volumes.

“We welcome new colleagues and customers and we look forward to working with them to further improve bus services in the communities of Greater Manchester.”