YOUR article on proposed severe cuts to our bus services makes very depressing reading (Hereford Times, April 16).

Central and local government pay lip service to environmental issues and to saving our planet from the pollution produced by our motor cars.

Using public transport is a vital way of helping the environment. However, in Britain, bus and train fares are among the highest in the world.

Our bus services in particular are so expensive that, except for pensioners, most people cannot afford to travel on them.

Our political masters need to reduce fares and increase bus subsidies so that ordinary members of the public can afford to use them.

In the long run, this would actually increase revenue and reduce reliance on the polluting motor car. If action is not taken soon, we shall see the virtual disappearance of our country bus services.

Action also needs to be taken to provide bus lanes in Hereford to prevent the late running of bus services, which are delayed severely by the number of cars and lorries blocking our congested roads.

JOHN THORNE Belmont Abbey, Hereford