The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority announced that it is considering whether to probe the awarding of the South Western rail franchise. The CMA said it will consider if this transaction will result in the creation of a relevant merger situation for it to look into, and if so, if can be expected to result in a substantiation lessening of competition.
In late March the franchise was awarded to a joint venture between FirstGroup PLC and Hong Kong-based metro operator MTR Corp Ltd. FirstGroup will operate the new franchise under its 70:30 joint venture with MTR Corp, known as First MTR South Western Trains Ltd. The franchise will run from 20 August 2017 until at least August 2024.
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