In Court Today

In the war that seems to be over beofre it started, Chester city council is due to go head-to-head with Arriva North West & Wales today in the high court over Arriva’s decision to over-register commercial services in the city, in the wake of the council’s decision to sell loss-making Chesterbus (aka Chester City Transport).

This is in spite of trade press reports that Arriva has withdrawn some competitive registrations, to concentrate instead on routes to and from Blacon, albeit at higher frequencies than previously registered.

The facts to date seem to be:

• Chester council has offered its bus company for sale.
• Arriva registered a duplicative bus network, exactly replicating Chesterbus’ services.
• Arriva argued that its move would offer stability in the city at a period of change. It further indicated it would leave the valuable City Road depot to the council to dispose of.
• Nevertheless, angered Chester council felt this would destabilise the sale and challenged Arriva in court.
• Arriva is reported to have sourced 22 low floor buses for its proposed Chester network.
• Owing to the hearing, Arriva subsequently put back its proposed start date by two weeks, to 21 January 2007.
• Arriva reportedly has now reduced its proposed activity to Blacon only.
  

The outcome of the court case will be eagerly awaited. The council's petition cites comeptition law. It will be difficult to see how the city council can prevent an operator from registering commercial services in a climate that fosters competition. After all, that is the essence of the Transport Act 1985.

So, who’s right in this case? The council in trying to get the best deal for the sale, or Arriva for offering a low floor, modern vehicle, simple and *commercial* solution to Chester’s currently loss-making city bus service?

i8 Omnibuses' Northern Correspondent writes: In drawing back and competing solely on routes to and from Blacon & Saughall, Arriva has chosen by far the best services in Chester. Others are not especially popular. Arriva’s withdrawal from elsewhere, if true, will also lessen the pressure on Chester’s streets and its bus exchange, a site no stranger to competitive queuing buses.

Aside from the 20 vehicle core commercial network, Chesterbus also provides tendered services to Whitchurch (Shropshire), school and works buses and the city's entire Park & Ride operation. Arriva has no plans for these services.