Problems on the buses

Sir -  What on earth has happened to the First new service 22, Rotherham to Barnsley?

Initially an excellent bus service: prompt, frequent and above all reliable, this service has deteriorated rapidly in the last two weeks.

On 5 occasions in the last two weeks I’ve seen the driver take a wrong turn. On two of those occasions passengers have had to help the driver to get back on the correct route.

Buses are late, missing and running two or even three together on a regular basis.

When this service started the people from First made lots of promises about this service as they were handing out plastic ducks to passengers, including dedicated drivers. These promises were kept – up to two weeks ago.

But now it would seem the honeymoon period is over and the 22 service has been merged with other routes.

The poor drivers from the other routes are apparently being shown the route only once (often in the dark) and are then expected to go on their own.

Is it any wonder the service is chaotic? Come on First – get your act together or many of your new passengers will be going back to Stagecoach!

Janet Thornton,