IT looks like the well-worn phrase "on the buses" will be used less as First, the operator servicing the South Worcestershire area, announces another tranche of cut-backs.

It puts the reduction down to the fact that fewer people are using the routes - it now wants to "divert these resources" to improve more popular services.

It is not cutting at the "core", but at "peripheral" routes, says First.

This sounds like a bit of business-speak to the Evening News.

We suspect what it is really saying is that it is not making any money out of these particular routes, so they are being scrapped.

We don't see much sign of balance by the introduction of extra services elsewhere.

Brian Hunt, who represents the Worcester City Forum for Older People, says that the First theme seems to be "use it or lose it". There are many that would not argue with that.

He also makes the point that the phrase "public service" appears to have been removed from the equation.

What is clear is that some people needing to use these routes have been summarily disenfranchised.

First says that the cuts in services will be supplemented by other routes. But does this really mean: "You can get there, but only by a roundabout route"?

We suspect that there will be many pensioners who rely on these services that will argue that this is just not good enough.

When First launched its innovative "Overland" system some months ago it seemed that the Faithful City was now going to get the public transport system it needed and deserved.

It now looks like the operator has slipped into reverse gear rather quickly.