Guernsey's bus operator plans to introduce new fleet

Mr Powell said the island was lacking a bus service running to the harbour

A new, mixed fleet of buses could be introduced in Guernsey by 2014.

Dai Powell, chief executive of bus operator HCT Group, said smaller buses and a new service to the island's harbour were being investigated.

CT Plus Guernsey, a subsidiary of the HCT Group, began operating buses in the island on Sunday after signing a contract with the States on Friday.

Mr Powell pledged to take islanders' views on board, and tailor the service to what the island wanted and needed.

He said that this could include a new range of buses and new services to the island's ports.

Speaking about a harbour service, Mr Powell said: "It's one of the first things we noticed.

"The two real points of entry, the airport and the harbour, one has a bus service and one doesn't, which seemed a bit odd."

On changing the fleet of vehicles, he said: "There are areas within Guernsey where it would be more suitable to have a smaller vehicle."

He said the island's Bus Users Group had been consulted on the issue of vehicle size.

Steve Sears, project manager for CT Plus Guernsey, said the handover of operations from previous operator Island Coachways had gone smoothly.

He said: "Our first intention is to keep the service running as it is at the moment, so people shouldn't notice a difference."

HCT is described as a social enterprise company, which means it invests profits back into the community it serves.