SIR - I refer to the article "Free trips put bus in jeopardy (T&A, September 22).

Bradford & District Older People's Alliance is concerned at the number of areas without adequate bus services - there are some areas without any bus services at all and the situation seems to be constantly deteriorating.

The lack of bus services can be devastating especially to older people and the disabled, many of whom are without their own transport.

Withdrawal of bus services seems to have increased since the introduction of free bus travel. This was always a fear and many older people have said they would prefer to pay 35p per journey and have bus services rather than travel free.

Your article raises the following questions:

  • Do the bus companies receive adequate reimbursement from Metro for free travel?
  • Does Metro receive adequate reimbursement from the Government for free travel?
  • Will the position be even worse when the Government introduces free travel throughout England in 2008?
  • Has deregulation of bus services in 1986 been a success and should there be a move towards some regulation of services, as has been introduced in London in recent years?
John Mawdesley, BOPA, c/o Age Concern, Sunbridge Road, Bradford