IT is with some concern as a regular bus passenger to learn that the bus services numbers 98, 56 and 55 serving Dousland, Princetown, Postbridge, Two Bridges, Merrivale, Bellever, Meavy, Horrabridge, Walkhampton, Crapstone, Buckland Monachorum and Milton Combe are to be reduced. When the last company pulled out at short notice a local company kindly stepped in to fill the breach, probably taking on extra staff and acquiring an additional bus in order to fill the gap — no doubt with the carrot of a long term contract from the start of 2015. It is understood that yet another company has been awarded the contract, rumour has it that their quotation was £45,000 less than any other contender, albeit with a reduced service. If one telephones the council one is told that it is a done deal, but we have yet to find out what sort of service we may expect from next January.  The service as currently provided is not ideal but is used by folk from the villages going to work, school and the elderly for whom it is there only form of transport for shopping and going out without having to impose on neighbours and friends for lifts. The council, while looking for ways to make cutbacks on expenditure, should consider that folk living in villages (the bus services between Plymouth and Tavistock have been greatly increased) are also council tax payers, income tax payers, and more important to them, voters, and should not have to bear the brunt of cutbacks. June Pearton by email