AFTER reading the article in last week's issue regarding the local bus services operated by Western National, may I be allowed to voice my views on the subject?
I am sure that most of those who have complained have not really stopped to think 'why' were the services erratic before voicing their opinions.
In Okehampton we are a very lucky community, to be provided with excellent services by Western National and Devon County Council on service 86 with easily accessible vehicles between Plymouth and Barnstaple and a service second to none, ie the X9 and X10 Bude to Exeter, and Tintagel-Launceston-Exeter.
Any delays on these routes over the last 18 months have been mainly due to the unending roadworks by the optic fibre cable layers along every route.
Which now brings me to the other service under unnecessary attack., the 318 Okehampton-North Tawton route, which incorporates the Okehampton Town service.
The only real reason for delay over the past two months is not the fault of Western National or its drivers, who operate a tight schedule on this route, being allocated 21 minutes to go from Okehampton to North Tawton via the Giblands Park Estate.
Having had to queue up to go through on-going roadworks in Exeter Road adjacent to the new housing estate twice on the outward journey and twice on the inward journey, the only way one could possibly keep to time would be by helicopter, not bus.
So, come now, enough 'whingeing and moaning'. Smile! There is a real world out there.
Nothing in this life runs smoothly all the time. Let us appreciate the service we have, and use it not lose it — perhaps to an operator who runs the second Tuesday in the month only and the fourth Friday only if numbers warrant it.
So I appeal to the powers to be the head of Devon County Council's Transport Group, please leave well alone. The National lads are doing a grand job.
Williams F G Norris
Great Links Tor Road
Okehampton