I AM not surprised that more and more people are becoming disillusioned with the local bus services.

Arriving home from work recently (on my bike, maybe I should add), I saw the Number 7 service pass by.

Once part of the First Midland Red network, it is now operated by goodness-knows-who as a result of inane competitive tendering rules and on this particular occasion, according to the vehicle's electronic display, it was going to Hanley via Dilhorne and Longton!

Next year, bus travellers "celebrate" 20 years of this deregulation shambles which has seen the decimation of rural services and the decline, rationalisation and general break-up of provincial bus networks such as our own.

It is high time for new legislation which will once again see local authorities setting overall service levels.

Perhaps New Labour could undertake this as an "easier to swallow" piece of public transport reformation before going on to tackle the big one - the much-needed re-nationalisation of our railway system.

JAMES WOODMAN

Offmore Road

Kidderminster