First Manchester is to sell its Bolton depot to Rotala for £5.3 million. The sale, of the depot and associated business, will make Rotala the second largest operator in Manchester. The business runs 18 commercial bus routes in Bolton and Bury and into central Manchester.
Rotala will initially lease 125 buses from First, returning them as it buys new ones over the next two years. The sale is expected to complete in August, with 500 staff transferring to Rotala. The Bolton depot will become Rotala’s headquarters in the North West.
First Manchester will retain a presence in the city, operating the premium brand Vantage on the Leigh guided busway, Yellow School Bus services, and other tendered routes. It will also retain its training school function, and its depot in Oldham.
These services and staff will be re-located to the former Rusholme depot site, previously the Finglands depot. It was retained by First Manchester after its closure and will be re-opened.
First has decided to sell thanks to ‘current uncertainties’ in Manchester, including franchising plans pursued by Mayor Andy Burnham. It has already sold its Queens Road depot to Go-Ahead, which has formed Go North West.
Speaking about the deal with Rotala for sale of the Bolton business, First Bus Managing Director Giles Fearnley says: “I’d like to thank our employees for their continued hard work to deliver the best experience possible for our customers in Greater Manchester.
“Today’s announcement does not reflect on the effort, commitment or individual performance of our Bolton employees and we will be supporting them fully as they transfer to their new employer.”
