I APPLAUD Les Sibley’s call for improvement to Bicester’s £3.5million park-and-ride service.

Though I think many people, myself included, would use it more if the current provider (Stagecoach) provided a more reliable service.

As an S5 passenger travelling to or from Oxford, there is no guarantee the driver will stop at the Park and Ride.

There are regular disputes between passenger and driver as to whether it’s a scheduled or request stop.

Often passengers have to walk up to half a mile, through hazardous traffic, with no footpath, to retrieve their car. Waiting at the Park and Ride is no better.

Standing in a minimalist shelter on the off-chance a bus may call in going your way: average waiting time one hour.

Stagecoach’s reply is ‘it’s optional for drivers to stop here, based on whether there is a bus already there’.

Electronic information boards advising of due times or delays would help.

And as passengers wait so long between buses, a set of toilets wouldn’t go amiss.

TREVOR BALLINGER
St Hughs Close, Bicester