A TAVISTOCK commuter said he has travelled on better buses in third world countries than the ones he uses to get to Plymouth.

Businessman Paul Burnside is so angry with bus company First Western National that he has written to the Transport Minister who has promised an inquiry into his numerous allegations.

Mr Burnside claims the early morning buses are late or fail to turn up.

'I used to live in Plymouth and was never late for work, yet in the last 18 months I have been late 19 times,' he told the Times.

'I talk to people using the buses who have received warnings from their employers because they arrive late.

'The buses are antiquated between 20 and 25 years old and are constantly breaking down or just not turning up. They have no heating and certainly no suspension — I have to say I admire the drivers.'

Mr Burnside said 'the situation was a complete disgrace'.

'I spend between £1,300 and £1,600 a year on the buses and travel to and back from work 12 times a week. Tavistock deserves better than this.'

He has suggested the drivers concerned have a meeting and together confront the management.

'But drivers do not want trouble as they have been there for over 20 years and do not want to risk their jobs or pensions,' said Mr Burnside.

'I have travelled all over the world and had better bus services in Calcutta, Bombay and Malta.

'On certain days it has been colder inside than outside the bus and I have to take a flask of tea — not because I want to drink it — but to keep my hands warm.

Mr Burnside said a few weeks ago he went to pay his fare — recently increased by 4.5 per cent — and the driver couldn't give him a ticket as there was water running into his ticket machine.

'It is very frustrating and we need to put pressure on the management as they are not listening to the public. I conclude that the management should take more notice of their drivers and passengers and not concentrate so much on their shareholders.'

Lesley Pomeroy, spokeswoman for First Western National, said the company was taking steps to improve the Tavistock to Plymouth service.

'We have put an extra bus on in the morning and use low-floor vehicles when we can. We plan to buy three more low-floor buses this year for that particular route.

The company had an on-going service problem but all buses that broke down were looked at by the engineering department, said Miss Pomeroy.

'We shall introduce new vehicles and the double deckers will go but it will be a gradual process.'

l The service 55/56 Yelverton to Milton Combe, Buckland Monachorum and Dousland, financially supported by Devon County Council and operated by Plymouth Citybus, will be slightly revised to maintain connections with Yelverton.

In addition, the Tavistock to Princetown and Yelverton will also be slightly revised to maintain selected connections. The last journey from Yelverton roundabout to Tavistock at 6.10pm will now leave 15 minutes later at 6.25pm.