Lothian sell-off plan
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A BID to sell Lothian Region's Edinburgh coach fleet will be part of the Lothian Tory administration's budget policy for next year, it has been revealed by Regional Convener Brian Meek.
The Tory group held a strategy meeting at North Berwick recently and also decided to look at the possibility of privatising the council's own internal transport system.
Edinburgh's normal city bus services are not affected by the plans, which are for the fleet of 25 single and double-deck coaches used on tours, express services and private hires.
The tour buses make a profit for the ratepayers and Convener Meek said this would make them attractive to any private firm. He added: "We would not be averse to an offer from any reputable company provided they gave us certain assurances."
Convener Meek said the group would be asking for a report from council chief executive Robert Peggie on the possibility of bringing in outside management consultants.
No decision had been taken on Edinburgh city bus fares because it was too early to assess the full impact of the last fares increase. But the transport defi-, cit which was running at £9m several years ago was now down to £2.8m.
• Every bus service in Edin burgh is to be reviewed regularly to make sure it is run efficiently and economically, Lothian Regional Council was told by its transport chairman, vice-convener Ian Cramond. He was speaking during a debate on changes to be made in several of the city's bus services.