NOT so many years ago the government was imploring us to put our cars away and use public transport.

Those of us living on the outskirts of towns and in rural areas may soon be asking “what transport?”.

Since that advice was given, bus services have ever increasingly dwindled, with always the threat of future cuts.

Over and over again, but sadly on deaf ears, We have repeatedly stressed that this is an absolute lifeline to so many, particularly the elderly and infirm. Not just a way of getting to town but also part of social life to many who may not meet anyone else. You have only to be waiting at a bus stop or use one of the local services to hear the good-natured chat going on – often between comparative strangers. All this could soon be lost.

Now we have another public consultation, but at the end of the day will the council listen to our views? This is very doubtful.

You can read what you will into this comment made at a recent meeting and already reported in last week’s Wiltshire Times: “If we ever do go against the people we always explain why we do not take notice logically and correctly.”

I have already filled in the consultation but personally felt a number of the questions were worded in such a way that unless the various options were read very carefully you could be already telling Wiltshire Council what they want to know – ie further cuts. So my advice is to read every word before putting pen to paper.

In all fairness, however, local councils are perhaps not completely to blame – with constant cuts from central government they are finding it ever more impossible to balance budgets.

Local bus companies such as Faresaver have stepped into the breach and are providing good services, but other companies which are part of the large groups have the monopoly, making massive profits from their other operations and in effect holding us to ransom.

It may be radical, but perhaps the government might consider imposing some form of financial levy on these large concerns, and raise additional funds, such as in banking and landfill. These could then be returned to local councils to help transport budgets.

All we can do at present is to hope that someone will see sense, and in the meantime hold on tightly to our bus passes – or they might soon become collector’s items.

Stanley H Jones , Horse Road , Hilperton Marsh