THE problems with the buses in the Dean would seem to stem from the monopoly that a large powerful company has in the area.

The bus industry in Britain is dominated by four large companies who are eager to take over anything that makes a profit and rarely compete between themselves.

Independent companies are able to take on non-paying routes, generally on a tendered contract, but if they stray into a profitable route, they are soon subject to intense competitions.

Companies such as Cottrell’s are soon taken over when they become available.

I have worked for several independent bus companies and the situation is always the same, the big firms saying ‘keep off our routes’.

The way for improvement is for a bit of competition – the service will soon improve until the competitor sells out or goes bust.

I was glad to get a job on the railway some years ago and get out of the aggressive bus industry.

I don’t think I was the only one, as the large companies seem always to be short of staff, yet will not give any work away.

Perhaps a better way to allocate the work would be to use a system similar to London, where the council tenders all routes and the operator must keep to specified standards.

If a journey is missed, late or early, or the bus is not up to standard they are penalised.

Hereabouts this only applies to non-paying, subsidised routes and journeys, often on routes that the major companies are making a profit on at other times.

– Anthony Pritchett, Chepstow.