Halton Transport

[Gillmoss 0324]

RE: Halton Transport
Could be all wrong with this but could a likely outcome be Halton Council simply liquidate Halton Transport with the Runcorn - Widnes - Warrington links getting passed over to Warrington's Own Buses (WOB) the services to Liverpool passing over to Stagecoach and the links to Frodsham/Cheshire etc. to Arriva/Stagecoach etc.?

Personally I'd prefer that not to happen and for the company to be sold but it is kind of interesting that WOB do seem to be making a few tactical moves into Halton's area that they'd have never really had the interest in doing so before and would selling Halton Transport as a going concern really raise enough money for Halton Council especially in these so-called austere times? As said I hope that doesn't happen as it's passengers/staff who lose out in that situation. As for WOB would a merger with Halton be a possibility? Might be a issue considering it too is council owned and it might also position it on the market to a potential buyer, very much so if it's strategy (i.e. Cheshire Cat etc.) is to become more of a brand focused operator in Warrington and the surrounding area's of Cheshire? Remember it too survived an invasion onslaught from North Western and to a lesser extent MTL in the mid-90's so not all may be lost for Halton in the long term.

Just out of interest could Halton's 14 and 61's be run easily out of Gillmoss? To Widnes probably but the runs to Runcorn might be a stretch too far especially with the congestion etc. Could the future plans of Liverpool City Region/Merseytravel also have a influence on what happens next with Halton?

It will certainly be a interesting to see what happens over the next few months.