Another municipal is set to bite the dust. The latest is Ipswich Buses, with advanced negotiations expected to find a conclusion in the New
Year. The local media suggests that Go Ahead is
"expected" to be the successful bidder.
It seems that the labour-controlled council has always rebuffed recent approaches. The current Liberal/Conservativ e administration seems to have no such qualms, though I recall that when in opposition it wasn't particularly pro-sell off. What's probably happened is that a Go Ahead tempting offer has come at a time of relative austerity, resulting in acceptance. Councils need the money.
Views in Ipswich are understandably polarised. There are the usual scaremongers who pessimistically predict fares rises and service cuts. There remain concerns about the "family silver". These are in the majority. Yet, Ipswich Buses have done a fair few service cuts and fares increases of its own, in recent years.
What's interesting is the line Ipswich council has taken. They appear to have done a "Caerphilly" rather than a " Plymouth ". By that I mean Ipswich hasn't gone through any of the pain or consultation (depending upon your view) of a structured process that has resulted in first a declaration that a sale may be possible and then a tendered, market testing. There's currently a challenge in the sale of Caerphilly's Islwyn. The results will be relevant to Ipswich .
From Omnibus blogspot
It seems that the labour-controlled council has always rebuffed recent approaches. The current Liberal/Conservativ e administration seems to have no such qualms, though I recall that when in opposition it wasn't particularly pro-sell off. What's probably happened is that a Go Ahead tempting offer has come at a time of relative austerity, resulting in acceptance. Councils need the money.
Views in Ipswich are understandably polarised. There are the usual scaremongers who pessimistically predict fares rises and service cuts. There remain concerns about the "family silver". These are in the majority. Yet, Ipswich Buses have done a fair few service cuts and fares increases of its own, in recent years.
What's interesting is the line Ipswich council has taken. They appear to have done a "Caerphilly" rather than a " Plymouth ". By that I mean Ipswich hasn't gone through any of the pain or consultation (depending upon your view) of a structured process that has resulted in first a declaration that a sale may be possible and then a tendered, market testing. There's currently a challenge in the sale of Caerphilly's Islwyn. The results will be relevant to Ipswich .
From Omnibus blogspot
