new operator withdrew its service. Since becoming part of the Stagecoach Group, A1 has faced more sustained and prolonged competition from First Glasgow. With the introduction of Stagecoach services within the city of Glasgow in 1997, First responded by introducing a service between Ardrossan and Kilmarnock. The service ran to the same route and timetable as the Stagecoach route. For a few months after the competing route's launch both operators ran their services free of charge. First and Stagecoach continued to compete on the trunk route until the withdrawal of First on 8 October 2005. See also List of bus operators of the United Kingdom References Former bus operators in Scotland Stagecoach Group Transport in North Ayrshire Transport in East Ayrshire British companies established in 1931 Transport companies established in 1931 British companies disestablished in 1995 1931 establishments in Scotland 1995 disestablishments in Scotland