Tram service is wonderful ... but I've given up on the buses

I travel to work in Attercliffe from Stannington, by public transport, using both bus (when it turns up) and tram, and up until Sunday, July 29, could purchase a switcha ticket which enabled me to use both the bus and tram for the whole journey.

It appears that First have withdrawn their support as regards using this ticket if tram travel is involved, because apparently the Government does not allow co-operation between different operators.

It appears that heavy fines could result should operators be found to be working together like this, according to a gentleman at First when I rang last week to find out why they had decided to halt this arrangement.

Now, my bus and tram fares will increase from 2.50 a day to 3.50 a day, possibly more. How can this be justified? My return journey is by car, thank goodness. Well, it appears to me that I will be making up the shortfall in fares as a result of the reduced fares on key routes.

The Stannington bus service run by First is apalling. Buses do not always turn up on the route I live on, resulting in a 30-minute wait for the next one, if it comes at all. I have comp lained countless times, and according to other people round here, so have they, but no reply is sent these days. I have in my possession a letter from the South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive, dated 22/06/07. I rang them that day to make yet another complaint, which they forwarded to the Commercial Manager at First, and the letter said they had asked them to investigate my complaint and write to me, with a copy to them.

I'm still waiting. What a shambles.

There is no encouragement in this city to use public transport. In Stannington we are very inadequately serviced, fares are too high and I for one don't blame people for using their cars. It's cheaper, more reliable and a lot more convenient.

Finally, I am doing my best to ensure that I don't have to use the bus any more than I have to, I've given up on them. The tram service is wonderful, it gets my vote.

AC, Sheffield

While on my lunch break I couldn't help but notice a sign on the 52 bus Red week saver 7.

Because First and Stagecoach have between them ‘spat out their dummies’ people in other areas of the city are having to pay. Why should I pay 15 a week for the same pass?

I would appreciate a response from First. And I would also like to know when Stagecoach are going to start to serve other areas instead of improving the times of bus routes already existing?

Because until they treat existing passengers with the respect they deserve, they have lost this customer.

Kelly, Wadsley Bridge