On the move

Visit from the letting agent today. He brought a two month notice with him. Been expecting it as the land where the house is had been earmarked for redevelopment. Anyway the planning application went through last week so we have to go. Bit sad as the location of this house is fantastic. Still we hope to find some where as good and with rents very low at present should not be to hard on the pocket.

Training

Training day today in Bristol. It was the National Express level 3 Customer Care course. It was a very enjoyable day and although a lot of it was reinforcing what I already do I still picked up some pointers. It also goes towards my CPC.
Tomorrow is our 20th Wedding Anniversary, no plans yet put I am sure we can somewhere nice for lunch.

Bus work

One of the things about being back in Bath is that bus work is now part of some duties. Friday saw me doing the 178 Bath to Midsomer Norton and then the 14 which goes Odd Down to Weston via the bus station. Did make a change and was interesting to see the attitude of drivers towards a bus driver against a National Express coach. There still seems to be a problem in that no one seems to be interested in us, leading to problems with the rota and drivers not been route trained. Still they know best!!

That was just stupid

Waiting to turn off Buckingham Palace Road tonight I started my usual speach. What happened next completly put me off. The car at the front indicated right and moved into the Bus lane. Then as the lights went green it turned. This is only for Buses etc. What they seemed to have missed was the large riot van behind. They saw that when the blue lights came on. I think a good word would be 'plonker'!

New day at school

Apart from breaking down yesterday things seem to be going ok. Spent today getting to know where things are. Some processes have changed so tomorrow will be spent refreashing signing on and paying in.

Test

Just testing posting from n78

Back to Bath

Well that's it, we are back on the Bath books. So what does that mean? Well not 100% sure at the moment but essentially it means we are back to where we were before the transfer to Bristol. The coaches are now maintained at Bath and we come under the control of the Bath Traffic office. I am a little concerned that we do not have a 'direct' report who we can contact to get breakdown, delay or road closure advice from. I assume this will be sorted after the first 'incident' ! The next thing is that the bus worked has returned. This is on the 'Street shunt' and 'overnight' duties. With Bath being fully manned they are just listed as 'enquire' so we will have to wait and see. Will need have a refresher on the ticket machine and routes but I assume it will be like ridding a bike. Off now until Wednesday so going to cut the grass before the rain tomorrow.

It all makes sense now

This was posted on the First group Website. Do we now see a BIG picture?

FirstGroup plc ("FirstGroup") - Statement re possible offer for National Express Group PLC ("National Express")

FirstGroup notes the press speculation in relation to a potential offer for National Express and confirms that it has made a preliminary approach to the Board of National Express with a view to entering into discussions about a possible offer for National Express. This preliminary approach envisaged a merger to maximise the potential of the two companies and that the consideration for any offer would be in the form of FirstGroup shares*. That approach was rejected by the Board of National Express.

The Board of FirstGroup continues to believe that there is significant industrial and commercial logic in a combination of the two companies, however FirstGroup would like to emphasise that there can be no certainty that an offer for National Express will be forthcoming nor the terms of any such offer. A further announcement will be made in due course if appropriate.

This announcement does not constitute an announcement of a firm intention to make an offer under Rule 2.5 of The City Code on Takeovers and Mergers (the "Code").

Disclosure in accordance with Rule 2.10 of the Code

In accordance with Rule 2.10 of the Code, FirstGroup confirms that its total issued ordinary share capital at 26 June 2009 comprises 481,866,264 ordinary shares of 5p each, excluding 200,906 of ordinary shares held in treasury. The International Securities Identification Number for FirstGroup ordinary shares is GB0003452173.

* FirstGroup reserves the right to vary the form of consideration.

Enquiries:

J.P. Morgan Cazenove Tel: +44 (0)20 7588 2828

Ian Hannam

Malcolm Moir

The release, distribution or publication of this announcement in jurisdictions other than the UK may be restricted by law and therefore any persons who are subject to the laws of any jurisdiction other than the UK should inform themselves about and observe any applicable requirements.

Dealing Disclosure Requirements

Under the provisions of Rule 8.3 of the Code, if any person is, or becomes, "interested" (directly or indirectly) in 1 per cent. or more of any class of "relevant securities" of FirstGroup or of National Express, all "dealings" in any "relevant securities" of that company (including by means of an option in respect of, or a derivative referenced to, any such "relevant securities") must be publicly disclosed by no later than 3:30pm (London time) on the London business day following the date of the relevant transaction. This requirement will continue until the date on which the offer becomes, or is declared, unconditional as to acceptances, lapses or is otherwise withdrawn or on which the "offer period" otherwise ends. If two or more persons act together pursuant to an agreement or understanding, whether formal or informal, to acquire an "interest" in "relevant securities" of FirstGroup or National Express, they will be deemed to be a single person for the purpose of Rule 8.3.

Under the provisions of Rule 8.1 of the Code, all "dealings" in "relevant securities" of FirstGroup or National Express by FirstGroup or National Express, or by any of their respective "associates", must be disclosed by no later than 12:00 noon (London time) on the London business day following the date of the relevant transaction.

A disclosure table, giving details of the companies in whose "relevant securities" "dealings" should be disclosed, and the number of such securities in issue, can be found on the Panel's website at www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk.

"Interests in securities" arise, in summary, when a person has long economic exposure, whether conditional or absolute, to changes in the price of securities. In particular, a person will be treated as having an "interest" by virtue of the ownership or control of securities, or by virtue of any option in respect of, or derivative referenced to, securities.

Terms in quotation marks are defined in the Code, which can also be found on the Panel's website. If you are in any doubt as to whether or not you are required to disclose a "dealing" under Rule 8, you should consult the Panel.

J.P. Morgan Cazenove Limited ("J.P. Morgan Cazenove"), which is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Services Authority, is acting exclusively for FirstGroup plc and no one else in connection with the matters set out in this announcement and is not advising any other person and accordingly will not be responsible to any person
other than FirstGroup plc for providing the protections afforded to clients of J.P. Morgan Cazenove or for providing advice in relation to the matters described in this
announcement.

This information is provided by RNS

The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

RNS news service provided by Hemscott Group Limited.