GOVERNMENT tells us we should use public transport more. I agree, and do use it when it is convenient.

However, there is an anomaly that needs correcting if they want to get more of my business.

Why not a return ticket costing a half of the return fare to a place such as Birmingham? Why not a three-day return at just over the normal price?

Twice recently I have taken up special offers by Virgin Trains to travel to Preston and York for two-night stays.

The return to Preston cost me the grand sum of £5 without any other discounts such as a Railcard being used. To travel to Birmingham in order to catch the train, it cost me about £3.60 in each direction because a single ticket costs about the same as a return one. So, over £7 to get to and from Birmingham, yet £5 to go to and from Preston.

Last week I took my wife and granddaughter to York for three days. Virgin's offer was £41.15 return for all three, with reserved seats.

Arriving at Kidderminster station for the 8.32am to Birmingham, the cheapest tickets cost me £9 for two adults and a child. I was told that it was dearer because we were travelling before 9am.

Surprise, surprise! The train was going to be 20 minutes late. A few minutes later the announcer told us it was cancelled. The next train would be after 9am, so I went to the booking office and asked if I could get a rebate as I was not going to travel before the magic 9am. No such luck! Late trains did not come into the equation.

I am not complaining so much about the poor service on the Centro system as about its seeming inability to either offer me a single at about half price, or a period return at a reasonable cost.

It would be no extra work for the booking office, and might induce people to use the train more often.

BRIAN GITTINS

Chaddesley Road

Kidderminster