NBC privatises two more subs
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• National Bus Company has now returned 41 of its 73 operating subsidiaries to the private sector, with last week's sale of Western National and Milton Keynes City Bus.
Western National has gone to Plymouth-based local independent Plympton Coachlines, backed by former NBC subsidiary Badgerline, which will have a "substantial" shareholding in the venture.
Truro-based Western National provides services throughout Cornwall trading as Cornwall Bus and Coachways, and in the Plymouth and South Hams area of Devon. It also runs inter-city coaches on behalf of National Express.
During the past two years a high proportion of its local routes have been converted to minibus operation — minibuses now account for over 50% of its fleet of 300 vehicles.
Milton Keynes City Bus is the 26th NBC subsidiary to be sold off to its management. Under the deal each of MKCB's 320 drivers, maintenance and clerical staff will be given 250 worth of shares. Staff will also be given the chance to acquire further shares, with 25% of the equity being set aside for staff shareholdings.
The management buyout team is led by Jeff Gundel, who has been managing director at MKCB since it was set up.
City Bus has been one of the front runners in UK minibus revolution, having converted the whole of its city network to minibus operations in late 1986.
In addition to its 100 minibuses the company runs 40 conventional buses and coaches in the Milton Keynes area and on express services to London.