20,000 say no to CityBus sell-off
CITYBUS drivers are to hand councillors a petition signed by 20,000 Plymothians ahead of a crunch meeting where plans to sell the firm off will be discussed.
A major protest outside the full council meeting is planned by drivers, demanding the company stays in public hands.
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More than 300 people are expected to join Monday’s demonstration, with “appalled” staff, supporters and union leaders vowing to continue their fight. They claim some Conservative councillors are unhappy with their own group’s plans to seek bids for the firm.
The council’s Cabinet plans to spend up to £962,000 on finding out how much Citybus is worth – but insists no decision to sell has been taken.
Unite, the union which represents the council-owned firm’s drivers, is worried privatisation could lead to price hikes, job cuts and less routes.
The council says Citybus is worth ‘well in excess of £10 million’, and they are inviting bids in order to discover its true market value. It says any proceeds would be invested more profitably in the city.
Leader of the council, Cllr Vivien Pengelly, said: “We very much welcome the views of the public, however I’d like to reiterate that no decision has been made at this stage. Myself and my party will wait to hear all the facts so that any decision we make about whether to sell CityBus will be an informed one.
“We will ensure that we take into account all views, the bids received and the potential benefits or pitfalls of a change in ownership so that we make the right decision for the whole of Plymouth.
“In the economic climate in which we are operating, this decision needs to be a rational one and not one that is responding to pressure from individuals or groups with particular perspectives.
“All councillors, regardless of the party they represent, will have the chance to cast their vote about whether to sell CityBus. The decision will be made fairly through our democratic process, once we have established all the facts.”
Tudor Evans, leader of the council’s Labour group, accused the ruling group of “resisting debate” on the subject.
He said: “Getting 20,000 signatures tells you all you need to know about the anger that people are feeling over this.
“These proposals have angered people from all across the city and of all political persuasions.
“We’ve heard rumours of Tory discontent before and it’s fizzled out – but this time we know some councillors are struggling with this.
“Whether or not the local council decides to sell Citybus shares, £1million nearly of public money is going to be spent without a debate in the council chamber. They’ve closed every door we’ve tried to open.”
Alison Seabeck, Labour MP for Plymouth Devonport, said she had received numerous concerns from the public about the issue.
She said: “It’s a major issue and it’s something people are going to feel passionate about.”
The Labour group have submitted two motions for debate at Monday’s meeting. The first calls for the full council to be given the right to vote on the plans – rather than limiting votes to members of the cabinet until November – while the second asks for the next stages to be included in the council’s Forward Plan, meaning cabinet members could be grilled on the issue.
Cllr Evans added: “It is plain by the public reaction that people are appalled that so much money is being spent with so little debate.
“People want their views put forward and that is what we intend to do.”
Regional Unite officer Clayton Roberts said 400 workers would be affected by the plans, adding that the firm had served Plymouth for 25 years with no outside financial help.
“Democratically elected members of the council cannot ignore the people of Plymouth and Unite’s call any longer,” he said. “The public petition makes it perfectly clear that the tax-paying people of this city want Citybus to stay in public hands.”
Mark Baskerville, the Citybus representative for the union, who will be one of the leaders of Monday’s midday demonstration, added: “People have been having this argument for eight weeks now and public opinion is still on our side.
“What’s frustrating is that no one from the other side wants to talk about this. They admit themselves we run a competitive service.”
Stephen Kearney, chairman of the South West Devon Liberal Democrats, said the council should be building on its transport system, not selling it off.
“We need to listen carefully to what the 20,000 are saying,” he said. “Plymouth is like the developing world in terms of its transport infrastructure and I think public opinion is too often ignored.
“The Conservative Party in Plymouth have really got their heads in the sand with regard to the future of the city.
“They are playing penny pinching games to cut council tax by a couple of pence when they should be putting Citybus at the heart of its future transport policy.”
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by Fred, Plymouth
Wednesday, July 29 2009, 8:18PM
“For those people making the argument, about why they should pay for Citybus. They are not, at the present time, as CityBus pays a substantial dividend to the council each year. This dividend will be lost forever with the sale of CityBus, so then you will be paying, in higher rates or have a cut in services, for the loss of this dividend. Likewise rate payers will be involved to their detriment, when a new, wholly privatised bus company, ask¿s for subsidies, to finance unprofitable routes. You cannot say, ¿Don¿t Run these services¿, as they are a lifeline to many, including the elderly and the disabled. It is obvious to me, whether you use the buses, or not, the citizens of Plymouth will be worse off with this sale. Once the money from this sale is used elsewhere you find it very difficult to ask the ratepayers of Plymouth to turn the clock back. We have several examples of this with the Utilities. Water is a good example”
by John, Milehouse
Wednesday, July 29 2009, 7:46PM
“¿Quote: All councillors, regardless of the party they represent, will have the chance to cast their vote about whether to sell CityBus. The decision will be made fairly through our democratic process, once we have established all the facts¿. If only this was the case. If the Tory whip is on this issue, how will the councillors vote regardless of party? If the Tory whip is not on, how can conservative councillors not fear recriminations by the leader of the Tory council and her followers, after being so dogmatic in her pursuit of the sale of CityBus? It is nothing more than a slow process of selling CityBus regardless of the electorate¿s opinion. I suspect (though not for public consumption), the Tories desire, to sell off Citybus, has already been decided and the words, ¿No decision has been made yet¿, are words to calm the masses, but a means to an end.
NO! To the sale of CityBus”
by Mark, Plymouth
Wednesday, July 29 2009, 7:13PM
“Selling Citybus will not solve all the financial problems society faces during the current economic circumstances. However, it will leave a legacy that all Plymouthians will pay for generations to come.
We will lose the dividend which has been paid every year by Citybus since its creation in 1986.
Private company's only operate routes that provide substantial profits therefore evening, weekend & school services are potentially under threat and if/when cut the council will be asked to subsidise these services adding to private company profits at tax payers expense.
Prices would increase and if we look at areas not supported by Citybus we can see these rises will be substantial and again Plymouthians will be left picking up the tab.
Anyone in any doubt that this process is fundamentally wrong need only ask themselves why nobody from the cabinet has been willing to enter into meaningful dialogue.
These people are relying on our apathy please prove them wrong by spending an hour of your time outside the Civic Centre on Monday 3/8/09 @1230 when the petition is being presented.
Anyone who believes 20,000 signatures isn't significant please come and witness the expressions on councillors faces.”
by David Mavin, Eggbuckland
Wednesday, July 29 2009, 6:11PM
“Would anybody else consider that an integrated public transport system should be the aspiration not the exception, of a forward thinking city in the 21st century. I have often wondered if the city fathers had considered the possibility of utilising and in fact extending the rail network within the city.
Having rail hubs/stations from Plympton and Plymstock (utilising the old Laira rail bridge line) even catering now for the proposed Sherford development, all delivering commuters direct into the city centre by extending the rail line underground from Lisson Grove.
Transporting shoppers from stations at Ernesettle and Devonport across a renewed bridge at the end of Victoria Park then underground following the old Patna route into an invigorated city centre.
Stations at Mutley and Lipson to name a few all having out of town parking and hopper buses to ferry passenger locally.
Yes I appreciate that it all cost money but there seems to be a real will from central government at the moment to explore and invest in future transport alternatives, what with the concerns over global warming and soaring cost of petrol.
We as a city need to think big and embrace our chance of delivering an integrated public transport system fit for the needs of future generations.
VfM”
by tinks, plymouth
Wednesday, July 29 2009, 5:51PM
“OK not sure I understand all the figures etc, but this is how I see it.
PCC have shares in CB and every year they get a dividend on that investment. This money goes into PCC's coffers and is used for what? Does anybody know? Anyway, if they sell off their shares PCC lose the dividend. How do they make up the shortfall, year on year, caused by the loss of the dividend that they have been using for whatever?
If PCC sell off the shares they get a one off payment (a big one admittedly) but when that money runs out, who makes up the shortfall? Every way I look at this all I can see is that if PCC sell their (our?) shares in the end the council tax payers will be left to pick up the shortfall. The only people who will be quids in are the buyers of CB.
If PCC own the shares on behalf of the people of Plymouth then they should be asking the people of Plymouth to vote. It could be done online. Log in and vote yes to sell and no to stop the sale.
Although, I did like the comment about more people signing this petition than voted for our two favourite MP's. Says it all really.”