Campaign to stop buses being sold

The city council is to consider selling its shares in Plymouth CityBus

A campaign has begun in Devon to stop Plymouth City Council selling off the bus service it operates.

Next week the council's cabinet will look at the idea of releasing some or all of its shares in Plymouth CityBus.

A report has recommended that it offers Plymouth CityBus shares for sale to see how much the firm is worth and what interest there is on the open market.

The recommendation has angered the union Unite, which fears the sale could result in job losses.

The union is also concerned that selling off the firm, which covers Plymouth and Saltash in Cornwall, could lead to a reduction in services to the community and bus routes being lost.

'Scaremongering' tactic

The council cabinet is to agree to spend up to £940,000 of public money to investigate selling the company when it meets next week.

According to Unite, CityBus has been run on a commercial basis for the past 25 years with no other financial help.

It is an insult to the workforce and management Clayton Roberts, Unite

The union claims that more than 400 of its members, including drivers and maintenance workers, would be affected if the firm was sold.

Unite regional officer Clayton Roberts said: "We are bewildered as to why Plymouth City Council are willing to sell off such an asset.

"It is an insult to the workforce and management who have all worked extremely hard to make CityBus the commercial success it is today."

A spokesperson for the council said it was "scaremongering" to suggest jobs were at risk as, whatever the outcome, there would still be a bus company delivering public transport.

A demonstration was being staged at the Milehouse Bus Depot at 1300 BST, where Devonport MP Alison Seabeck joined campaigners.

"I would like reassurances that services will be protected and price hikes avoided, as has been seen in other cities where bus services have been privatised," the Labour MP said.