THE Government, the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive, and many other organisations want us all to make more use of public transport and use our cars less.

So, how is my local bus company, First Manchester, helping to achieve this aspiration?

Well, by withdrawing (from October 24) the useful and convenient number 90, Rawtenstall to Manchester service -- with the exception of three very early morning services from Stubbins-only to Manchester, and four tea-time services from Manchester to Stubbins, only running on Monday to Friday.

This will mean that anyone living on the Brandlesholme, Holcombe Brook, Ramsbottom or Stubbins side of Bury, will suffer the added inconvenience and cost of changing in Bury on every journey.

The Stubbins to Rawtenstall service will be reduced from three buses per hour (two service 90 and one service 243), to one per hour. Will this encourage more people to use public transport?

First Manchester has not done anything to encourage use of the 90 service. It seems to be a dumping-ground for the oldest and most uncomfortable buses in the fleet. The present terminus in Exchange Bus Station, Manchester, is the most inconvenient one, being far removed from the centre of Manchester.

The good people of Rawtenstall and Edenfield who want to travel to Manchester, should not be unduly inconvenienced as they have the excellent and more comfortable X34/X44 express service (run by Burnley and Pendle), which provides a much faster journey than the 90.

For the poor people of Stubbins, Ramsbottom and other places this side of Bury, however, there will not be a direct service to Manchester from October 24. This will inevitably lead to more car usage and even worse traffic jams on the already-congested roads of Ramsbottom.

Well done First Manchester!

DOUGLAS HARTLEY,

Summerseat Lane,

Holcombe Brook, Bury.