WE have just seen First Bus group increase their bus fares in return for more bus service cuts coming our way, again. Also we learn of the proposals to withdraw many local bus services including the routes 95 and the 554, covering areas, such as Darcy Lever and Morris Green, which are already neglected with poorly organised and unreliable public transport.

Replacing the historic number 12 bus route with the 554 has proved a bit of a disaster, and, likewise, with many other local services, if it's unreliable, passengers will not use it. On the otherhand, I could shout "help! I don't own a car".

However, I have no option but to use public transport or take a taxi, but when are operators or the PTE going to learn, "to walk before they can run". It's like any new business, new bus routes need time to adjust instead of making changes after a few months.

Since the introduction of the free concessionary fare scheme it cannot be denied that there has been a vast increase of patronage, using public transport. If the present law will not allow bus operators to all work together, perhaps if the passengers were consulted in the first place and our concerns listened too, we would see better, improved, reliable, profitable and an affordable transport system within Greater Manchester.

Preva Crossley Roseneath Road Great Lever