HAVING never written to the papers before, I felt I had to regarding the withdrawal of the First 231 bus between Chippenham and Bath.

As a regular user of this service going into Chippenham town centre and back from my home and also going to Bath and back, you can imagine my dismay on reading that we are to lose this service. There are numerous reasons why we need to keep this service.

Faresaver X31 is much more expensive than the First 231. I pay £1.50 with First but with Faresaver I will have to pay £2 for the same journey.

Without any competition I hate to think what the fare may rise to.

Also I’ve noticed that the people with bus passes are allowed to use them at reduced rates before 9.30am weekdays with Faresaver – does the council pay the difference?

Often the Faresaver does not turn up, so it’s not very reliable.

I often have to go to Bath early to arrive before 8.15am – how will I do that without the First bus?

Prams, pushchairs and wheelchairs – how are they going to fit on a bus which is often a much smaller bus – more of a minibus than a proper bus?

Anyone who does catch the early buses to Chippenham will know just how busy they can be with schoolchildren, students for the college and workers, plus shoppers. How will we all fit on?

And then there is the ride itself. Anyone who has ever had to travel on a Faresaver bus knows how very uncomfortable it can be. It is bad enough just going the short distance to town but to have to sit on one of their buses for an hour to Bath will be impossible.

I beg First Bus and Wiltshire Council to look again and re-examine the situation and think again for all bus users’ sakes.

M RICE

Cranwell Close

Chippenham