I refer to the article, November 9, "Pensioners lose rail travel battle."

In March of this year, prior to the local elections, I wrote to the Advertiser stating that, while Mr Avenell and his supporters may have won the battle to retain bus tokens and concessionary rail travel I seriously doubted if they had won the war against Swindon Borough Council.

I further stated that, this was not the first time the council had considered scrapping this scheme and given the "right" results at the May election it was unlikely that this scheme would last in its present form.

Swindon Borough Council has no direct interest in rail companies, however it is the only share holder for the bus company, Thamesdown Transport Ltd.

The borough council has also got itself into a complete mess with the park and ride system and the appalling road congestion in the town which it has caused by creating priority bus lanes. It is therefore in the interest of Swindon Borough Council to force its concessionary fares customers to use the bus services.

It can then claim that greater numbers of people are using the bus facilities while at the same time its own company will benefit from greater income.

It is my belief that Swindon Borough Council has had its own hidden agenda all the time and that Mr Avenell is absolutely right when he says that he and his supporters haven't been listened to.

However, I would say to Mr Avenell and his supporters, don't give up because that is precisely what the council wants you to do.

(Mrs) E FELL

Ellingdon Road

Wroughton