On the buses (From Warrington Guardian)

On the buses

I AM writing to highlight the appalling situation with Halton's public transport.

I use the transport system every day and the old joke of 'if you want a bus there isn't one for ages and then three arrive at the same time' is very true for Halton.

I am beginning to lose count of how many times I have complained to the bus garage direct. Even when enquiring on the times of buses to the drivers, it seems that knowledge of the system even on their own bus route is sadly lacking.

I noticed in last week's World that Halton Transport was looking for plain-clothes inspectors to travel on the buses for a week and report back. If they kept a record of complaints this exercise wouldn't be required.

The bus route to the Windmill Hill, Manor Park area from Widnes also needs to be looked at. There are quite a few businesses in this area who are restricted from employing anyone from Widnes if they haven't got their own transport.

Do the providers of public transport in Halton have a strategy to service Runcorn and Widnes efficiently and, if so, are they willing to publish it along with a timetable that we can rely on?

M O'Donnell, Edinburgh Road, Widnes