Public ownership would mean better buses

Sir, An issue that seems to have been forgotten about recently and was brought back to the front of my mind was the bus services in Rotherham.

I boarded a first bus to the town centre from Wortley Road, Kimberworth, a journey of 1.3 miles and was disgusted to find that it was £1.95.

When I asked about a return ticket I was told I could get a first day ticket for £4.30, this is more expensive than 2 singles.

First bus fares in South Yorkshire have increased by around 8% in the last year and they blame rising costs including wages, but let’s not forget that it's only one year since the drivers were on strike and told to take a pay freeze just 6 months before First announced £122 million profit and almost 10% increase in dividends to shareholders.

This pattern of price rises is well over the rate of inflation has continued for years, so I say let’s bring back the buses into public ownership and run them democratically. This would reduce bus fares for everybody and instead of sharing the profit amongst the fat cats we could re-invest in routes, buses and afford the drivers a decent wage on shorter hours.

Richard Marriott, Socialist Party, Rotherham Branch.