WE KNOW the recession is causing financial problems and it's those who are at the bottom of the ladder who are vulnerable

WE KNOW the recession is causing financial problems and it's those who are at the bottom of the ladder who are vulnerable, therefore it's rather insensitive that First Bus is putting profits and dividends to share holders, before looking to passengers who need a bus service, especially in rural areas.

First Bus has got a nerve to select the routes they want because they are profitable. What First should remember is they get a subsidy from the councils in the West, more than �560,000 from North Somerset Council alone. If they go ahead with cutting routes, then cut subsidies, in fact why not transfer routes to, in our case, ACL buses.

If councils have got to increase subsidies due to First's greedy outlook, then the council will have no alternative but to increase council tax. That will not sit very well with residents, the councillors will not be amused either, I suspect.

So I say to First with your profits show a little commonsense in these troubled times.

P J MAIN

Axe Close

Weston