Bus groups respond to OFT's competition decision

Scottish-based transport groups First and Stagecoach have responded to the Office of Fair Trading's decision to refer the local bus market outside London and Northern Ireland to the Competition Commission.

FirstGroup said that although unwelcome, the OFT's decision was not a surprise.

"FirstGroup believes that the local bus market is very competitive," said a spokesman. "We compete with large and small bus operators in towns and cities across the UK and, of course, we are also...