Union hammers Vectis victory
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• Isle of Wight bus operator Southern Vectis has come under fierce attack from the Transport and General Workers' Union following its takeover of the first British municipal bus operator to be privatised.
Portsmouth City Transport (PCT) has been sold to Southern Vectis for 2700,000 — 2450,000 less than the original Vectis offer of 21.15 million.
The second, lower offer was the result of a rebid invitation to help PCT employees improve their original offer, says Portsmouth City Council leader Ian Gibson. Alex Hodder of the TGWU alleges that Southern Vectis joined forces with Badgerline when first bidding for PCT, but Badgerline's ownership of Portsmouth-based Red Admiral ruled out the deal.
Southern Vectis' managing director Gary Batchelor denies any link with Badgerline: "I absolutely refute the TGWU's allegations.
"There is no truth whatsoever in the claim that we were bidding with the help of another company — we made our bids in our name and with our money," he says.