HAVING now gained the dubious distinction of acquiring a senior citizens bus pass, I have taken to using public transport again.

What was once a necessity is now a novelty, but I have noticed how things have changed.

I seem to remember at one time an army of dedicated cleaners hosed down the garaged buses in the early hours, removing the build-up of grime and shining the windows.

Nowadays, with windows you can hardly see through, this would appear to be no longer the case.

Also, where have those receptacles for used tickets gone?

I asked about this once and was told they might be used for something more explosive than tickets!

It is quite some time since I used the buses, but I shall certainly do so from now on after realising how much easier it is than trying to park after making the journey by car.

Derek Pyle,

Fernleigh Close,

Blackpool.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.