AS the driver of the bus to which Ann Thompson threatens to chain herself (Malvern Gazette & Ledbury Reporter, April 30), I must take issue with Mr Radbourne's (of the county council's passenger transport group) ill-informed comments.

I understand the council cannot justify subsidising services in Gloucestershire, but the 381 brings people who spend money in Malvern. The 377 and 379 takes people shopping and visiting in Cheltenham and Gloucester.

The new subsidised flexilink will dump Malvern people just over the county boundary in Staunton (two shops, two pubs and no conveniences) or Tewkesbury. The flexilink will not be available to tourists and walkers.

Mr Radbourne's suggestion of changing at Upton would mean that Mrs Thompson would have to catch four buses each way for her return trip to Cheltenham.

I have been driving the 377 - 379 - 381 service for over a year, and unlike every other route in Worcestershire there has been no passenger survey.

Ken Radbourne's figures do not include my passengers, who mostly get on at Richmond Road and Barnards Green.

Only two ladies have travelled to Tewkesbury in the past year, nearly all the rest travel to Cheltenham or Gloucester for either a full day or half day. Walkers and visitors also use the service.

If the current fare of £3.10 was increased to the £5.45 that would be the new return fare from Malvern to Cheltenham (change at Tewkes-bury), then the present through service could be run with much less subsidy and to the satisfaction of more people than the replacement.

If Worcestershire County Council fulfilled its obligation to advertise the service, I would need a larger bus and no subsidy. The 28-seater I usually drive has at times arrived at Gloucester with all seats filled and standing passengers.

People only know about the route by word of mouth. Worcestershire have no timetables at bus stops.

If the new flexilink ever has 30 passengers at one time I will believe it is improving facilities for the majority of people, otherwise the community will be poorer for the removal of this service.

Three thousand pounds and permission to raise the fares to the proposed level would save this popular service for another year.

Name and address supplied.