History of the PTE bus operations

In 1986 they underwent a process of deregulation and privatisation, forming some of the largest private bus companies in the UK outside London, with all being sold to their employees or management.

The PTEs were local authority bodies responsible for running transport operations in their respective regions, accountable to the PTAs.

Although trams, underground trains and light rail systems were included, the majority of transport operations controlled by the PTEs were bus services.

The PTEs moved to a role of maintaining common facilities and financing less profitable but socially necessary services, although these had to go to open tender.

Several PTEs faced competition from operators set up by former PTE employees made redundant during deregulation and/or privatisation.

A similar tit for tat occurred between SYT and West Riding Buses, using investment in Compass Travel and new operation Sheffield & District respectively.

At Mainline, a 20% stake was taken to assist in financing fleet upgrades, and to give Stagecoach first refusal in any event that the company was sold.

Following a Monopolies & Mergers Commission inquiry investigating the Darlington Bus War, Stagecoach sold its stakes in both SBL Holdings and Mainline to FirstGroup.

The local company names persisted within the corporate schemes until the trend of regional re-grouping along geographic lines.