I AM writing on behalf of numerous citizens of Cinderford regarding the changes made to use the buses before 9.30am, Monday to Friday.

Many of us find the cost of travelling to Gloucester expensive and this has caused many local residents to now use the 9.50am from Cinderford. It gets extremely crowded, even to the point of people having to stand all the way to the bus station.

The drivers are not happy with the situation, as one particular driver has the burden of a very full and unhappy passenger load.

I fully understand that the Forest of Dean undertook this prior to Gloucestershire County Council taking it over and rules appear different, but please explain why one can travel from Newent to Ross-on-Wye before 9.30am with a bus pass and not have to pay any extra?

If our bus from Cinderford was heavily loaded with people going to work in Gloucester, then one could appreciate it, but very few people use this particular bus that are working people.

It does seem a very short-sighted policy and one to which I feel you should give a serious re-think on the timings for use by senior citizens!

David J Osgood

Cinderford