The bus service we deserve

I WISH to say a massive thank you to ACL Travel for finally providing us with the bus service we deserve. I think other companies forget it's the residents not the shareholders that really matter. I very rarely use the buses as they are often unreliable, assuming they arrive in the first place, and sometimes the drivers are not the politest especially when they have to slow down going up Milton Hill. Often it sounds like the bus won't even make it up the hill! What a change. I used the number 83 ACL service today. I had our baby in a pushchair and a bag of shopping, the driver offered to help me with both. She then waited until we were completely seated and even asked if we were fine before pulling off. The most amazing part was that this act of kindness took a split second but the bus still left on time and got us back to Worlebury on time. What a change from guessing whether a bus will arrive, and if it does then bracing yourself for the inevitable rush by the driver to pull off before you've even found a seat. The other thing of note on the journey - the bus was clean, the bus smelt clean, the bus had no rips in the seats or graffiti etched into it. Wow, how long have we waited for a bus like that! That got me thinking, yet again. First have put their prices up, ACL haven't to my knowledge. First always state fuel, insurance and wage increases are to blame. Do not all companies have to pay these costs? I know companies like ACL are much smaller and have lower costs but they probably don't bulk buy fuel like First will do. They also probably don't apply for special insurance rates for having such a big fleet, etc., and also they don't have the muscle that a massive company like First could flex when it needs something. So I wonder are these rises actually necessary or are we all just being treated like idiots?I know my answer. My faith is restored in buses as long as they are bright orange!NAME SUPPLIED - Worlebury