Good News for Preston

[craig7501]

Stagecoach have been told by the monopoly commissioner that they have to sell back Preston Bus and re-paint the buses back into Preston Bus colours by end of May.

Even though Stagecoach will still own Preston Bus, Preston Bus will act as separate company to Stagecoach, and Stagecoach will have to introduce the old routes that they discontinued back before the deal is finalised.

[raindropsies]

I thought you were going to say that they have decided to.........

[tonyreddevil]

are they going to knock down bus station though?

[craig7501]

Yes tony, its due to be knocked down this year so John Lewis can build their huge store on the site and the bus station is to be transfered to Manchester Road where it will only hold 28 bus stands instead of 60 bus stands

[TonyBridger]

Who are Stagecoach selling the buses back to as you say they will still own them.

Also if Stagecoach still own Preston Buses how will changing the name stop them having the Monopoly of buses in Preston.

[craig7501]

Well Tony, Stagecoach have to re-sell the buses back to the drivers of Preston Bus, Stagecoach will still own the company however they will not be allowed to alter routes etc. The monopoly is then set to be set up so that different bus companies can put bids in, companies like first bus, arriva and John Fishwick and sons will have the chance to own them. Since stagecoach took over they discontinued some off the popular routes and hiked up the fares and reduced some services.