I HAVE read with interest Colin Speakman's excellent article in the Dales Life supplement of June 25. His experiences during the pandemic have been very similar to mine.

My wife and I try to use public transport wherever possible - after all, we enjoy the benefit of free travel on buses, we buy concessionary railcards, and we can do our bit for the environment.

The vast majority of staff on public transport are professional and helpful, and it's usually interesting to talk to other passengers.

Just before lockdown, we decided to scrap our 15-year-old car with high mileage, facing several repairs, and due its annual MOT, and rely on buses, trains, and the occasional taxi when absolutely necessary.

Three months later, we have surrendered, and just bought a small car from an acquaintance.

Why? Well, if we were to accept Government advice, we couldn't travel on bus or train, and no taxi services were available for several weeks.

Fortunately, we have been able to walk, but there is a physical limit as to how far two fairly mobile pensioners can travel on foot, when the need to travel more than a few miles has been essential.

These issues naturally lead to thoughts about the future of public transport after the pandemic has run its course.

If usage of buses or trains has been negligible, why should operators provide the service?

I appreciate that conditions have been unusual, but such thoughts must occur to businesses like Transdev and Northern Railway.

During the past week, I have tried to research how public transport is organised, and who I should contact about my concerns, but the systems are complicated so I have given up, and fallen back on a reliable method - 'keep it simple'.

I have written to my local councillors, expressing my concerns.

Can I encourage Craven Herald readers to do likewise, and start this debate while there's still time, otherwise the local bus might join that extinct bird the dodo before too long!

Stuart Lund, Silsden