IT'S that time of the year again when the residents of Hartley and Mannamead find out whether their bus service has survived the annual review by Plymouth City Council.

I understand that yes, it has, but our 39 and 39A buses are now to be amalgamated and changes made to the route. At present the bus service is hourly, with no service at 4pm; now the bus will no longer go to Morrisons and there will be no Saturday service. I am led to believe that the reasoning behind these changes, as in previous years, is that the routes are not paying for themselves because the majority of users are over a certain age and are entitled to bus passes.

This can come as no great surprise to the council because the same happens every year.

Over the years, Citybus and First have had the 39 route but, because it made a loss, did not continue. Target Travel are the present providers and do a brilliant job, with a reliable service and friendly, regular drivers.

For some people, being able to get to Morrisons on the bus to do just a small shop is a lifeline. With no Saturday service, it will mean a long walk either to Mannamead Road or Lipson Vale to catch a bus into the city centre. For the elderly and disabled, this is no mean feat. Surely the routes which make a profit can subsidise those which do not and be budgeted for in advance?

It cannot be right that each year changes are made to this route and we find ourselves in a no-win situation, simply because the the majority of passengers have bus passes which were, if I am not mistaken, given to them by the city council.

Please, Plymouth City Council, reinstate both routes. Many people rely on these buses.

Mrs A THACKERAY

Mannamead