IS it me, or are the bosses of First Bus having its passengers for fools?

First they withdraw a decent service in the 536 and 537, due to so-called low patronage, and have part of the route replaced by a taxi service, funded by the GMPTE.

They replace the majority of the route with route 94/95. During the daytime, this route does not go as far as Manchester - so what use is it?

The service is unreliable, and late, buses are missing, and some miss out parts of the route. No wonder so many of my neighbours have had enough and started using their own cars.

Now First Manchester inflict another rise in fares - for the second time this year. I work out that fares have increased by 20 per cent this year, while most peoples pay has only risen by about four per cent - therefore inflicting more financial pain on the less well-off.

One reason given for the increase in investment is 278 new buses. So why hasn't Bolton depot had any?

Instead, we are still receiving cast-offs from depots across the country. In fact, we received Bury's cast-offs of their bendy buses while they received a brand new batch.

Another is investment in new drivers. Did anyone else see the BBC News report on how First Bus are training people in Poland to drive buses in our country, therefore taking opportunity away from the British indigenous people?

First Bus is the biggest bus company in the country, yet it seems to be last when it comes to putting the customer first.

Michael Brotherhood

Long Lane

Darcy Lever