THE Government has now admitted that their transport policy will fail to achieve its target despite the massive amount invested in our railways.

In an area where we have no railways this is largely academic. The question that needs to be addressed is why so comparatively few people use buses in or from this area for short or long journeys. Forty passengers on one bus can save approximately 20 cars on the road.

We are constantly asked to use the bus as some sort of public duty, usually by our elected representatives who wouldn?t dream of using it themselves. This, in my view, is totally the wrong approach.

We are customers. We have a choice and the facts are these. Our local buses are based on van chassis.

Compared to a car they are noisy, have uncomfortable seats and totally inadequate legroom. Long distance buses to places like Heathrow are purpose-built but again offer only hard uncomfortable seats with a minimal reclining facility and for anyone of more that average height, totally inadequate legroom.

They also suffer from a speed restriction of 60mph despite the fact that their safety record is many times better than a private car.

They also no longer offer an attendant service who not only could provide refreshments but also offer reassurance to vulnerable people travelling alone and could ensure the toilet was clean, tidy and in good working order.

Any reader who has travelled on long distance buses abroad will know exactly what I mean. I have recently returned from a Third World country where the buses were several years old and imported second hand from Japan.

They were immeasurably better than anything I have travelled on in this country. Our bus stations tend to be cold, draughty and uncomfortable place often frequented by undesirables.

Customers will only use public transport when the standards of service, comfort, speed, reliability and cost equal or exceed that of the private car.

It will take many years for trains to do this but a real difference could be made with better quality buses going from where we are to where we want to go without too many changes and waits.

It must, in fairness, be said our buses are already far more reliable and punctual than the trains. Then perhaps more of us will choose the bus rather than being coerced into doing so by a great deal of cant and humbug.

Richard Leonard

Menfreya

Thorndon Cross

Okehampton