I echo the letter in the Wiltshire Times (January 16) from Jasper Selwyn and Kate Freeman, of Devizes Community Area Partnership, about the big problem of using buses when it isn’t possible to find out the correct running time or what to do if they don’t turn up.

On December 12 I waited at Melksham Market Place for the 15.29 First Bus to Bath. I arrived 10 minutes earlier so as not to miss it and left a meeting early to do this. I was not alone; a couple were already waiting and another lady joined us. The couple were going to Bath Christmas market and I was going further afield, into Bristol and beyond.

It was cold – we waited and waited ... for a total of one hour and 10 minutes. Eventually the 16.29 First bus arrived, by which time we were almost frozen.

Due to the long wait arrival in Bath was much later, more of a build-up of traffic, and there was a much longer wait than usual for the First Bath to Bristol bus, a knock-on effect, and a total journey which usually took me two-and-a-half to three hours took nearly five-and-a-half hours – none of which would have been the case if that first 15.29 bus had arrived as scheduled.

I tried to find an address for First Bus to whom I could write to complain. I searched the internet and could not find a postal address. There was a form on their website for complaints, which I filled in.

l did in fact, to my surprise, receive an acknowledgement email two weeks later saying my complaint would be looked into and I would be contacted again within 10 working days – long since passed and I have received nothing further.

In the Bristol area there are electronic links on the bus stops with information about buses due and times. This is not always accurate but at least it helps. Why cannot this system be adopted here?

Also, each bus stop should carry a telephone number and address so passengers can contact the bus company where buses are if very late (and later write, if required, as in my case).

It was a very cold, long wait, something I do not wish to repeat.

By the way, the Faresaver buses were not timetabled at that time, which at least we were aware of, so not their fault. It unfortunately made our wait for the First bus longer than perhaps at a different time of day.

Mrs Rosemary Skyrme, Sandridge Road, Melksham.