SIR - Once again I find it necessary through your column to complain about the abysmal and totally unacceptable 612 bus service Bradford/Shipley route as the operators are, I quote ‘unaware of any problem’. These buses habitually miss.

Since last week’s bus strike I have found it necessary to use the bus three times. On each and every occasion the bus has failed to show up, missed altogether. When the next bus finally arrives it is running late having to pick up all the extra passengers who are crammed in like sardines.

Have the operators no idea what it does to old people having to queue all this time in the cold and rain as we are not allowed to have a bus shelter in town lane? Sometimes my joints have become so stiff waiting I find it difficult to mount the step when it finally arrives.

Perhaps First should surrender the franchise and let another company who can operate the route efficiently. Or allow people to travel on the empty buses before nine thirty using their passes.

This would help us to keep missed appointments at hospital etc. Is this problem confined only to the 612 route or do other areas experience the same problems?

Elaine Neale, Gordon Terrace, Bradford