Lincoln cuts to the core
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• 'lough competition has forced municipal operator Lincoln City Transport to cut its fleet by almost half during the next month.
The company is planning to sell 47 vehicles from its 108strong fleet, which will include minibuses and Leyland Nationals.
Main casualty is the 'Betta Bus' network in Scunthorpe where the 19-minibus network will close on 18 February. The network was introduced last July to challenge the nearmonopoly of Lincolnshire Road Car, in response to competition from Road Car on Lincoln routes. Reports claim the network did not reach viability.
The City network of Limmo FX4 cabs is also being closed with the loss of 22 jobs. The 20 taxis operated at premium fares to city suburbs and were introduced two years ago as a 'defensive fleet'.
A number of country services will also be withdrawn together with eight recently purchased single-deckers. In all nearly 50 drivers will be made redundant, although some may find alternative employment with the company.
The move is seen as a consequence of aggressive competition between the two companies in the past 12 months, with Lincoln being forced to cut back to its core commercial network throughout the city.
Lincoln's managing director Peter Townley warns the public that with the demise of competition in Scunthorpe: "there will be a return to monopoly, lethargy and basic services with the established operators returning to their former apathetic state."