A spokesman for Stagecoach suggests that the reason for the change in Service 54 is due entirely to Swindon Borough Council withdrawing support via the Concessionary Travel Scheme. This scheme was intended to provide a subsidy to Stagecoach and others, enabling them to carry over 60's free of charge. According to Stagecoach the number of pensioner users has increased to such a level that the bus company has had to make larger claims on the Concessionary Travel Scheme funds. Perhaps Stagecoach will release the figures proving their claim into the public domain. I am sure the public will be interested to see the changing pattern of usage over the last four years. I feel sure that Stagecoach will be more than happy to explain the workings of the Concessionary Travel Scheme, in particular what auditable methods of data collection they use on pensioner usage figures.

One assumes the data is supplied to SBC electronically and comes from ticket machines as a result of drivers issuing a concessionary travel receipt when presented with the appropriate pass and the ticket machine records the transaction. Are passholders required to state their destination so that Stagecoach can obtain some idea of their travel patterns, or is it the case that reimbursement made under the Concessionary Travel Scheme is not related to journey length, but to the average of what adults are paying across the Stagecoach network.

The Travel Concession Scheme is intended to leave Stagecoach in a 'no better off, no worse off' position compared to what our revenue would have been if no concessionary scheme existed. Thus ensuring taxpayer's money remains a subsidy to the user rather than the bus company.

I hope SBC apply something more than just a test of 'reasonableness' to any claim made by Stagecoach on the basis that the system is clearly quite easy to abuse.

DES MORGAN Caraway Drive Swindon