Island Coachways has a lease on the former tram sheds until 2016 and the Bus Users’ Group believes that this ‘trump card’ makes it difficult for a rival company to come in. (Picture by Tia Jehan, 0877370)

TRIBAL Consulting made a mistake by recommending a full review of bus services before going out to open tender for a new contract to start in 2012, according to the Bus Users’ Group.

It should have focused instead on the potential for a new operator to take on the service in 2017.

However, the Environment Department has labelled the group’s spokesman as ‘ill informed’.

Bus Users’ Group representative Fergus Dunlop said it would be incredibly difficult for another operator to compete against Island Coachways for the 2012 contract.

‘Tribal clearly has not realised that Island Coachways holds the trump card – the former tram shed lease – until 2016,’ he said.

‘What operator would bid against that? Could an operator find and acquire a site for an alternative bus depot, gain planning permission and build the thing by 2012?

‘Tribal expects a competitive tender for the 2012 bus contract to flush out a counter-bidder able to operate Guernsey’s buses. And it expects this counter-bidder to come in cheaper than Island Coachways.’