The controversy regarding bus tokens, half fare passes etc continues to rumble on.

Before this correspondence closes I would like to put forward one or two points.

First and foremost a big thank you to Mr Frank Avenell for his unstinting work on behalf of the Swindon pensioners.

Now the question must be asked: What have the following three got in common? Swindon Borough Council, Stagecoach and Dick Turpin.

As we are all aware, the latter was a robber and highwayman who stopped the stagecoach and shouted Stand and Deliver.

Swindon Borough Council under the new token scheme is to distribute £40 now, where previously it was £45.

The council has robbed each individual of £5 and, because of a recent fare increase, it will all add up to a reduction in the number of journeys they can make.

And from April there will be a 15 to 20 per cent increase per single journey for half fare pass holders.

This was so say freedom of choice, but no mention of the existing 40p flat fare, or of the 2,000 signature petition. Could anyone in their wildest dreams request an increase in fares?

Stand and Deliver has been saved especially for Stagecoach. Residents of Freshbrook and Toothill have been kept standing now for three years 11 months, and Stagecoach have not delivered. Indeed, on this very day, November 28, there was a 40 minute wait for what was supposed to be a 10 minute service!

Meantime, MP Julia Drown has become involved and requested that the traffic commissioners investigate the number 8 service.

Unfortunately we have been here before. In the earlier days the Adver-tiser checked them out and found it to be NBG.

Ms Drown has also been before. In spite of petitions and hundreds of complaints, it's all been to no avail, after three years and 11 months of misery and what must be the most rotten bus service in Europe, it's time for Stagecoach to go.

L FOX

Alnwick

Toothill,

Swindon