WRAC chases United
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• After the recent flurry of buyouts, the privatisation of National Bus Company operating subsidiaries appears to be entering a quiet point — although bidding for Darlingtonbased United Automobile Services has now closed, and an announcement on its new owners is expected within the next few weeks.
Although NBC is keeping tight-lipped on which bid it will recommend to Transport Minister David Mitchell, former-NBC subsidiary West Riding Automobile Company appears to be leading the field, ahead of a management buyout team, and a bid from Allied Bus Services.
United has a fleet of 500 vehicles, including minibuses and coaches, operating throughout County Durham and in parts of Tyne.
Until recently, it was one of the largest NBC operating subsidiaries. As part of the Government's privatisation plans, however, its operations were being split up, with all its services north of the Tyne being taken over by Northumbria Motor Services, which has yet to be sold off, while its services in the Scarborough and Pickering areas of Yorkshire were transferred to East Yorks Motor Services.