Transport strategy indicates a desire to find another operator

ENDING reliance on Island Coachways to provide a local bus service would take at least two years, according to the Environment Department's latest transport document.

Within the new integrated road transport strategy – and before today's shock announcement – Environment minister Peter Sirett said that the bus service must continue being run in its current structure because the owners of the tramshed site would only lease the premises to Island Coachways.

'At present, the department is unable to competitively tender to any other operator.'

The States has investigated other sites to keep buses, including Pitronnerie Road, the fire station and Castel Hospital, but none was either suitable or available.

The department wants to find a new site within two or three years to provide a long-term base for bus services.