Dropping down like flies

[robertclark125]

The news that Ipswich buses may be sold to Go Ahead, and the approval of the purchase by Stagecoach of Islwyn Borough Transport, by the OFT, could reduce the number of council owned bus firms in Britain to single figures, 9.

For the record, they are

Bws Caerdydd/Cardiff Bus
Newport Transport
Lothian Buses
Blackpool Transport
Thamesdown
Rossendale
Halton Transport
Nottingham City Transport (20% owned by Transdev)
Reading Trsnport

It leads me to ask you this question. How many of those English based firms will still be council owned at the end of 2010? I very much doubt Lothian will be sold (The scottish government has never shown a desire to order Edinburgh City Council to sell), and both Cardiff and Newport, being in Wales, may be subjected to different cultures. Though, in those three cases, never say never.

Or you could ask, how many of those nine firms will still be council owned at the end of 2010, if you so wish to provide an answer?

 

[A60K]

Not sure about the end of 2010 - perhaps 2011 - but I would think a Tory government would want the companies in private hands, Blackpool perhaps being a special case for the moment because of the tramway.

 

[90019]

To be fair, there are only currently 11, IIRC, so it's not exactly a massive drop.

As you say, it's highly unlikely that Lothian will be sold.

 

[robertclark125]

well its 10, as IBT was sold to Stagecoach this week.

 

[mbonwick]

And Ipswich WILL go to Go-Ahead.

 

[MCR247]

I doubt NCT will be sold

 

[madannie77]

Why is Warrington Borough Transport not on the initial list?

 

[robertclark125]

Forgot about Network Warrington, sorry to all those in that town!