(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.
Confidence in the brand is at a low at the moment, but I still think that residents of Warrington would fight for this to remain as WBT, though I'm sure that some form of financial arrangement would be accepted, so long as the company can retain its identity (like with the Oxford Bus Company).
If the streets of Warrington were to be filled with the dirty green of Arriva or the tacky standard-issue Stagecoach Enviros though, it truly would be a sad sight.
Many of the passengers I speak to would rather use Fairbrothers at the moment. They feel quite let down by the company and what has been happening....
It's a sad sign but maybe the drivers need to appreciate that they have excellent conditions, decent pay driving nice buses....it could be a whole lot worse.
It's to be hoped that the following scenario never happens, but, if Network Warrington were to be forced into administration, then who would make the call? Would it be the council, as owners, or the management of the firm, given that it's run at arms length?
Just received this via Network Warrington's Facebook Page:
We're very pleased to announce that the dispute between Network Warrington and Unite the Union has now been resolved and the strike action has been called off. All services will operate as normal next week and there is no more planned strike action.
Great to hear, and I'm sure the passengers will be pleased as well.
(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.
Possibly more changes to services 19 and 28/28A between Warrington and Leigh from 16 December 2013.
The evening and Sunday service on service 19 has been proposed to run between Warrington and Culcheth only with connections at Culcheth with service 28A. The evening service curtailment is down to Warrington Borough Council no longer wanting to subside the journeys and TfGM not wanting to cover the whole cost.
Some positive news regarding the 28/28A. The 28 will be restored to run between Leigh and Warrington, while there will be an additional Sunday morning journey on service 28A at 0958 from Leigh to Warrington.
http://www.transportforgreatermanchester...us_network
Good to see they resolved the issue, I can't imagine the strike would have been well received with all the bad publicity of Unite at the moment.
What happens if WBT requires investment? Companies can get finance from loans, but also from the shareholders. So how does that work without it breaking the law?
There was an incident this morning at the bus station coming out of the tunnel. It involved Cadet number 35 and St Helens Daf Cadet 2421. It looks as though the Warrington bus has driven into the back of 2421. The Warrington Cadet had a smashed windscreen and the St Helens Cadets rear windscreen had completely shattered...