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Mr John Swift QC, the Rail Regulator, today published a consultation document seeking the views of interested parties on the regulatory issues involved in the proposed merger between Stagecoach Holdings plc and Porterbrook Leasing Company Ltd.
Mr Swift said that the proposed merger raised a number of important public interest issues relating to :
the effect on investment in new rolling stock; future competition in the market for the provision of rolling stock; and future competition in the provision of passenger services. The Regulator said that in any assessment of the issues he had to judge the likely consequences for passengers and for the financial position of the Franchising Director. He would then advise the Director General of Fair Trading who, in turn, would advise the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on whether the merger should be referred to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission.
