THE bus station, situated just off Corporation Street, is the location where many people start their daily journeys to work and a regular stop for inter-city coach services.

As a result it is often one of the first places people see upon arrival in Swindon.

Yet just recently the station's bench seating was vandalised and broken.

And Georgina Mason, 42, from Wootton Bassett, who uses the bus station to travel to and from work in Old Town, is concerned that vandalism and thuggery is putting people off using it.

A supporter of public transport, having used the station for nearly 12 years, she said: "I have never been able to say that the waiting facilities at the bus station have been good, but recent events have compromised my views even further.

"The bus I was waiting for had broken down and there was no replacement. This meant a 30-minute wait. There was an elderly lady with a walking stick who had to stand in biting wind with nowhere to sit, until the promised bus arrived.

"In these circumstances you cannot go to the ticket office because with all the roadworks in the town, the bus is likely to turn up, load, and leave as quickly as it can to make up time."

As a result of the incident last week, Mrs Mason rang the council's transport department and was told that there were no funds to make repairs.

Mrs Mason added: "I suggested to them that the bus station is one of the first places a visitor will see in the town and that first impressions are lasting."

Karen Stewart, assistant manager of the Bus Station Kiosk, takes a slightly different view in that she feels removing benches permanently would stop drunks and youths from misusing the station's facilities.

She said: "I think that if they took away the benches it might discourage these people from their drinking binges and stop them from sleeping on the benches.

"It would be a good idea to have someone around here at night just to keep an eye on these people. Some have even come into the shop.

"It's quite worrying. One man came in and starting swearing at the customers, others have been abusive and several have stolen from the shop."

Linda White, 53, from Haydon Wick, is a regular bus passenger. She feels that more could be done for passengers travelling in off-peak hours.

She said: "The seats themselves aren't too bad but it isn't particularly clean. It isn't very well looked after around here."

The remains of two benches can still be seen in one of the shelters. A large steel hinge-shaped mounting remains attached to the wall in one of the shelters.

Linda added: "That metal hinge has been there for several weeks, and it looks really dangerous. Someone could trip over or injure themselves. It needs to be taken away."

David Banks, 65, from Toothill, is not a regular bus user but feels that the facilities are being misused.

He said: "I remember when the shelter areas were enclosed, but they were always being vandalised so they were taken down. I feel that Swindon is losing the battle against anti-social behaviour. It is always on the retreat."

John Stevenson, the head of technical services at Swindon council's environmental services department, agreed that the bus station should be in a better condition.

He said: "The department for maintaining transport around town has only a small budget, which is overwhelmed by the amount of vandalism. It is unfortunate that taxpayers are having to foot the bill for such damage."

Inspector David McMullin, Swindon Central sector inspector, is in charge of officers policing the town centre and the bus station.

He said that since the introduction of national legislation to make public places around the town alcohol-free there have been no reports to any of his officers about crime at the bus station.

Senior figures at the two largest bus companies serving the town agreed that the vandalism was distressing for passengers and created the wrong impression for visitors.

Thamesdown Transport managing director John Owen said: "I don't understand the rationale for vandalism, wherever it takes place.

"Obviously, it is spoiling facilities that are there for, if you like, the genuine members of society. It is not just about upsetting our customers, it is about creating the wrong impression of public transport."

Chris Douch, acting manager at Stagecoach's Swindon office added: "The upkeep of Swindon Bus Station is of a poor standard I'm sure our customers would agree.

"The bus station can be a lonely place to wait for services late at night. It gives the wrong impression of Swindon."

Technicians from Swindon Council plan to examine the site next week, and the authority hopes to carry out the necessary repairs within a matter of some weeks after that.

Council spokeswoman Hellen Barnes said: "The council will be setting aside a small amount of money from the 2003/2004 budget for bus station repairs. The benches will be given first priority."