Page "Transport in the United Kingdom" Paragraph 3

Local bus services cover the whole country.

Since deregulation the majority ( 80 % by the late 1990s ) of these local bus companies have been taken over by one of the " Big Five " private transport companies: Arriva ( part of Deutsche Bahn AG ), First Group, Go-Ahead Group, National Express Group ( owners of National Express ) and Stagecoach Group.

In Northern Ireland coach, bus ( and rail ) services remain state-owned and are provided by Translink.