SIR – The Kempsey bus wars reported in the Worcester News does not make happy reading for the long-suffering passengers.

Why does the taxpayer have to subsidise First Bus to the tune of £10,000 a year for three buses a day that were commercially viable until Veolia/Astons offered a competitive service? It does not make sense because both operators are obliged by law to advise the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency of licence changes six weeks in advance of their intentions.

All interested authorities must have been conversant before sanction of the revised service was given.

First now offer a special flat fare of £1.20 single, £1.80 return for the length of the well-used Worcester to St Peter’s section of route number 32 but not on any other long city services. If the Kempsey/Baynhall section is rendered unviable by these tactics Veolia will relinquish the route and hand it back to Worcestershire County Council for the competitive tendering process to begin on essential journeys at even more expense to council tax payers.

I’m unconvinced about operators not being able to accept each other’s tickets because First were issuing their tickets for journeys to county destinations when they were contracted to run the Worcester Perdiswell park-and-ride buses. Since losing out to Worcestershire County Council the new operator will accept First’s tickets but First refuses anyone with a park-and-ride ticket.

Passengers who have the misfortune to travel to Kempsey by one operator will not be able to use a return, day rover or period ticket if they come back on the other bus. This is surely a good time to introduce tickets that are valid on all buses for a small additional premium.

TIM BROWN,

Worcester.