YOU'RE stuck in what appears to be an endless stationary queue of vehicles. Fingers irritably tap the steering column as you wonder whether there will ever be a solution to the daily log-jam that is now commuting reality.

Today will undoubtedly be just like any other day. However, when you get the chance to read your favourite newspaper, it is our sincerest hope that a glimmer of light will be detected. For we believe that there just may be a chink at the end of that traffic tunnel.

Worcestershire County Council has agreed to provide £480,000 to district authorities for the specific purpose of extending free bus travel for pensioners and disabled people throughout the county. The scheme will be available to anyone aged 60 or over.

Now, we're not in the business of counting chickens, but today we ask you to take a small leap of the imagination and speculate where this could lead.

For if more older people do start to use public transport and leave their cars at home, then this will start to have a knock-on effect on overall traffic volumes. As the word spreads, increasing numbers of people will start to understand that public transport can really be a viable alternative to the car.

This newspaper realises that this is only the first few steps on the long journey to find a solution to congestion. But we are encouraged by this development and congratulate those who have devised what may be the beginning of a solution to the present chaos.