Privatisation
In 1980 the new Thatcher government embarked on a programme of deregulation and privatisation of bus services. To make them more marketable, the larger subsidiaries of the National Bus Company were split up. United Counties was split up operationally from 1985, and three separate companies were formed:
- Luton and District Transport Company Ltd (Aylesbury, Hitchin and Luton garages)
- Milton Keynes Citybus Ltd (Milton Keynes depot)
- United Counties Engineering Ltd (The central workshops part of the head office site)
United Counties Omnibus Company Ltd retained the rest (almost its original pre-1952 area plus Bedford, Biggleswade and Huntingdon)
In 1987 Luton & District Transport was sold to its management. Milton Keynes Citybus was also sold to its management.
In November 1987 the rump United Counties Omnibus Company Ltd was purchased direct from National Bus Company by Stagecoach, one of only three companies it bought direct.
Read more about this topic: United Counties Omnibus