FOUR transport companies have been invited to submit fresh bids for Bournemouth's Yellow Buses in an effort to end the stalemate surrounding the sale.

The council has now reached an agreement with the Department for Transport on how the sale process can be made fair.

Councillors had agreed to sell the Bournemouth company to French-based Transdev before the Government's last-ditch intervention on the grounds that the sale process may have been "unlawful".

Excelsior boss Ken Robins, whose complaint to the Department for Transport prompted the intervention, is believed to be one of the four original potential bidders being given a second opportunity to buy the company.

A modified questionnaire has been sent to Mr Robins and any others who may have been affected by a financial standing requirement in the original qualifying criteria.

In a statement, Bournemouth council said: "This financial standing requirement has been modified so that, instead of £500,000 assets for public sector bidders and £5 million for private sector bidders, the requirement is now £500,000 for all.

"There will then be a further evaluation of financial standing of bidders who pass the initial requirements and decide to complete the questionnaire at a later stage, as agreed with the Department for Transport."

The four parties now have until early September to complete the questionnaire, which effectively tells the council they wish to be considered further.

The council added its objectives for the sale remain the same and include:

Promoting a good and improving public transport system in Bournemouth.

Maximising local employment opportunities.

Ensuring that the sale is to an organisation which will deliver an effective, innovative and expanding public transport system.

Ensuring the fair treatment of staff in respect of pension benefits.

First published: August 29