MY thanks to Brandon Jones of First UK Bus for his letter explaining the reason for the cancellation of the 507 service to Harwood on January 17 although I feel an apology to the people of Harwood would not have been forthcoming had I not complained.

Mr Jones gives the reason for the termination at Bradshaw Brow as one of safety. Quite right, the safety of passengers and driver must be paramount at all times. However the condition of the road through Harwood was no worse than Tonge Moor Rd. To quote Mr Jones: ‘The decision to only run to Bradshaw Brow was made due to the fact this is the only location we have available to safely turn the vehicle around. The service returned to the full route as soon as it was safe to do so’.

I find this an extraordinary statement from the Head of External Relations First UK Bus (North Region). Mr Jones is actually saying that a bus could not safely turn round at the top of Hardy Mill Rd. Can their buses not do a three point turn?

My other serious concern regarding First UK Bus is that it is subsidised by Bolton taxpayers even though it is a private company that makes millions of pounds profit each year. I wonder when services are cancelled do First Bus refund part of their subsidy to the council and offer a refund to passengers who purchase weekly or daily tickets, I don’t think they do.

A reliable, safe, affordable public transport system is essential for a successful country to compete in the modern world we live in. In my view (for what its worth) this would be provided by a ‘Not for Profit’ publicly owned operator.

Eric Hyland

Harwood.