The bus industry was privatised in October 1986 by the Conservative government. With the exception of London, the overwhelming majority of bus services in the UK are run on a commercial basis, to make a profit. (London bus routes are highly subsidised and are run under contract to Transport for London).
As a private limited company, NCT operates over 98% of all its 36,000 weekly journeys on a commercial basis, without any financial support or subsidies from local or national government to provide them.
Nottingham City Council is the majority shareholder of NCT but there is no support or subsidies paid from local council tax to run our network of services across the City. Indeed, NCT actually pays the City Council a small shareholder dividend each year.
NCT must ensure that, to continue investing in staff, buses, new technologies and improved safety, that we run services that are deemed “commercially viable” – a route where the revenue generated from passenger fares meets the operational costs of running that service. It is unfortunate that some services have been withdrawn in the past because they were not viable routes.
There are a small number of services (2% of the network) that are run with financial support from local councils. Where the Council deems there to be a “socially desirable” need for a local bus service (e.g. where main services are not convenient), Nottingham City and Nottinghamshire County Council can advertise tenders for bus companies to bid to run these routes, with support.
The following NCT routes are financially supported and would not run at all without the monies paid by the appropriate local council.
Service 51 Arnold, Bulwell, Bilborough, Beeston
Service 90 City, A46, Gamston, Farndon, Newark (evenings & Sundays)
Service 93 City, QMC, Beechdale, Bilborough, Strelley
Service 94 City, Ainsley Estate, Beechdale, Aspley, Bells Lane
Service 100 City, Burton Joyce, Lowdham, Southwell (evenings & Sundays)
Service 190 City Hospital, Hyson Green, QMC, Nottingham University
Service 192 City, Ilkeston Road, Charlbury Road
Service 193 City, Ilkeston Road, Wollaton, Beeston
Service 199 City, Thorneywood Mount, Mapperley, Sherwood, Edwards Lane Estate, Bestwood Park
Nottingham City and Nottinghamshire County Councils also subsidise other bus routes in the local area - please visit our links page to access their sites for further information.
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