Staying on the buses (From Western Telegraph)

Staying on the buses

1:32pm Friday 31st August 2012 in Letters

I FEEL that a number of Pembrokeshire residents will be saddened, and somewhat angered, at the announcement that several bus services with cease to run from the end of September.

These services, while not massively patronised, are nevertheless essential to the passengers.

Elderly and disabled persons will be particularly enraged. Their use of bus passes, convenience to visit relatives, shopping, and hospital visitations will be severely compromised.

Taxis are not an option; the cost and infrequency of availability will outstretch their means. Are they to be abandoned to wallow even deeper into despondency, in this current difficult financial climate?

Some of the routes may not be of long length, nor of particular hardship for the young and healthy patrons, but for the infirm are very arduous, an impossible trek.

The 362 route, for instance, traverses a particularly arduous hilly route. This route also serves the South Pembrokeshire hospital, and is particularly convenient for the major shops and banking facilities in the town.

We understand that cutbacks in finance are essential, and we all have to tighten our purse strings, but at the expense of the well being of residents? I think not.

I urge the county council to rethink their proposals, and have a little more thought for the well being of their constituents. Even the legendary ‘Scrooge’ was shown to have some compassion in his heart. Please learn from his example.

W.F. HILL Charles Street, Milford Haven