Warrington's Own Buses

[DVL418]

RE: WBT Network Warrington

(08/11/2013 00:21)Polo Mint Wrote:  Unfortunately this is probably the reason the government privatises everything, to avoid these kind of disputes. Luckily they are owned by the council who can keep the company afloat, although the funds may have to be diverted from elsewhere.

Is the rumour about WBT being for sale still floating around? Maybe this is an ideal time to sell to a group like Stagecoach.

It is unlawful for council's to subsidise their arms length bus companies. Indeed it is the opposite, as Halton Transport has regularly paid a 'dividend' to Halton Borough Council in recent years, sometimes a six figure sum.

If the comments about a loan from WBC to WBT are true then it will be interest-bearing and not just a financial slight of hand to subsidise the operator by the back door.

By the way, Halton has had approaches from all of the national, and one or two international bus concerns over the years now, a couple on more than one occasion, so I doubt WBT will be any different.