BY law, our county councils must ensure the provision of public transport and subsidises some services.

A government grant for this purpose was not cut this year as threatened – so why are they still allowing passengers, most of whom are not well-off, to be treated so badly?

Some antiquated, badly-maintained coach-type vehicles are completely unsuitable for the many disabled passengers and, indeed, anyone with small children or heavy shopping. Changing routes and   timings without adequate publicity is another problem, and there is the constant threat of further services being withdrawn.

At the moment the council has been funded to undertake a public consultation, which we can all join in, provided we can find the forms at the library, when it is open,  and then understand the half-baked proposals which are different for each bus service.

It rather looks like passengers from the Ruardean and Lydbrook areas may have to wait in the wind and rainswept shelters at Cinderford for connections – or maybe volunteer services will materialise.

We don’t need Santa giving presents from the bus or even a talent contest. Not even a new Gloucester Bus Station.

– S Mills, Ruardean.