Transport firms need to offer help

LETTER - We are all aware of the Government's attempts to curb private car use and induce us all to use public transport, car sharing or good old fashioned cycling. But wouldn't it be nice if the bus companies tried to help?

I attempted to catch a route 60 bus at Castle Mill. I freely admit to being late in flagging the bus down due to the route indicator being silver on black and not illuminated.

The driver slowed as he passed the stop but when I started walking down the road after him, accelerated and left me behind.

To add insult to injury, I contacted the bus company this morning and was left with the distinct impression that it was my fault for not flagging my intentions earlier.

Apparently the drivers have to be forgiven as they often stop for passengers who do not want that bus so it is alright to leave someone who is walking down the road and does want to use the service.

It actually gets better, if you have a certain sense of humour. Yesterday I waited 30 minutes to catch the last Llanarmon bus from the Orthopaedic Hospital at Gobowen.

It did not turn up and being the last bus down the Ceiriog Valley, I either walked five miles or hired an expensive and ecologically unacceptable taxi.

Apparently, there had been an accident on the B4500 near Glyn Ceiriog which had necessitated the bus travelling to Oswestry via Selattyn.

Apparently, the accident near to Glyn necessitated the driver missing out the part of the return route via Gobowen and the hospital.

Eric Robinson, Clinical trials manager, Oswestry Outcome Centre