Following the award of the Inter-City East Coast franchise to the Inter City Railways joint venture of Stagecoach and Virgin (RB1476 p1), the Competition ft Markets Authority has reviewed possible competition concerns raised by the coach and rail services already operated by Stagecoach. CMA is required by law to carry out a 'Phase 1' review of all franchise awards. Publishing its findings on February 6, CMA found that while the franchise award did not raise significant concerns in most areas, there was the potential to reduce competition on two routes. 1CEC services overlap with Stagecoach's East Midlands Trains franchise between Peterborough and Grantham and between Peterborough and Lincoln. On both of these routes, there is no other rail operator 'and only a minimal coach service', says CMA.
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