Madam,

I am an OAP living in Penrhyndeudraeth and have no car. Since the bus service was stopped about three years ago, I have been dependent on a 'bus replacement service' for all my shopping trips, doctor and hospital appointments, pharmacy, post office and any sort of social life.

In fact it is the only way I can get out of the house as I have arthritis in my knees, and am a (very) large lady.

The car has picked me up outside my house, dropped me in Porthmadog then brought me home later. It runs at fixed times two days per week and worked well.

However, the contract has recently changed hands and I can no longer be picked up or dropped off at home, but need to get to a bus stop to be picked up by the 'bus replacement' – it is not classed as a taxi.

The problem is I can’t get to the bus stop – if I could, I wouldn’t need the car, I could just take the bus!

I have been told that there are about 20 people in my position and my only option it to pay for a taxi which would cost £15 per trip.

It seems ridiculous that there is a good service, subsided by the council, but the people that really need it can’t get to it.

The council and the taxi firms need to talk – there must be a compromise somewhere.

Any suggestions, please?

Yours etc,

Diana Newman, Penlan Terrace, Penrhyndeudraeth.

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