I am so disappointed with National Express who run the 242 bus. It was so very useful when it ran up Huntingtree Road, Thornhill Road and Bassnage Road. Now for 'greater efficiency' it will be re-routed along Dunstall and Landsdown Roads.

In general, anyone who has lived in Halesowen/Hasbury for any length of time would know that the further 'up the hill' in Halesowen you get, the more need there is for public transport. The housing is cheaper and there are still council houses. The 242 ran through Hasbury and was the most useful bus service.

It was also particularly useful for the elderly population who used it for the doctor’s surgery, chemist, butcher and hairdresser. The Thornhill shops. Now the 242 has been re-routed all of these shops are off the bus grid and so is Hasbury. After the 19 was axed it would seem bus companies are systematically taking all the residential areas out of the routes and just putting them on the main roads. The problem with this is: most people don't live on a main road and don't want to have to walk half an hour to get to a bus stop. Halesowen is after all predominantly a residential area. I had a conversation with a bus driver from Ludlows. I caught the 417 one day to see where it went and if they were going to keep that service running along Bassnage Roadd. They are not and what's more he was actually complaining about 'going round the wrekin'. It almost made me believe if bus drivers complain enough the routes get changed to meet their wishes.

I suppose in this day and age a little common sense is too much to ask for. Instead of running all the buses along a road which has a car on pretty much every drive or in every garage maybe one could be kept on where it is actually needed. I guess that is greater efficiency for you though. If the bus doesn't have to stop, it will be far quicker and more efficient. I wonder how long it will be before they scrap it because it isn't making them enough money and Halesowen loses another bus route.

It seems all buses go to either Merry Hill or Birmingham. Halesowen is trying to become a town where people like to visit by improving the bus station, opening an Asda and keeping the Cornbow tidy. How about looking after the people who already live and work here? Come On National Express! Do the right thing, provide a service which is being asked for and used.

I have written to the company and received no reply and to my local councilors, one of whom has lodged a complaint. Let's get the person who made the decision to cut Hasbury out of their map to walk round, have a look and talk to the people who they have affected with their 'efficiency'. H Tipping, Via email