New bus contract still waiting to be signed

Guernsey's Environment Department has not yet signed a contract with its preferred bus contractor HCT Group.

The UK provider is due to run the island's buses from the 1st April 2012, when the current contract with Island Coachways expires.

Environment say the talks with HCT are progressing very positively and they are certain final agreement will be reached in the very near future.

A spokesperson for the Department said: "The logistics of taking over an operation in such a short time frame are complex and in order to negotiate the contract many options have had to be explored and evaluated. It is perhaps not surprising then that the process is taking longer than originally intended. However, in evaluating the options in this way much of the preparatory work is already now underway."

The Environment Department Board is due to meet to consider the proposals later this week, while HCT Group are already working to put the arrangements in place for the take-over.
(from CTV)

Time is running night...

I just don't understand why the States don't put the drivers on the payroll and run the thing themselves. Much cheaper than paying subsidies to a London firm.