I write in regard to Stagecoach bus services and the bus passes that can be purchased from their drivers.

I recently moved jobs and now buy a Gold Megarider each month, costing £65.

For the past few months the card that was issued only worked in the machine for one or two days.

After this time it stated “card corrupt”, with the driver asking to see the pass.

To save time, I have now got into the routine of just showing the driver the pass, rather than waste time putting it into the machine, only for it to state “card corrupt”.

At least three drivers have very rudely told me to “just put the ticket in the machine”, when I have shown them the pass.

Once, when I stated that it did not work, I was just told by the driver: “I will be the judge of that!”

It is ridiculous that a pass cannot seem to work in the machine for more than 48 hours.

It might help if the drivers also issued plastic wallets to put them into, so that they might work for longer.

In addition to this, I cannot work out why the 17.36 from Witney departs on time (I usually see it pull off, just as I come from work), while the 17.46 departure does not turn up until 18.01.

Funnily enough the 18.01 is the next scheduled bus after the 17.46.

Has a bus just been removed from service, or are Stagecoach drivers making such a hassle of people putting cards into their machines that they are wasting time? It’s just a thought.

Justin Walden

Hurst St

Oxford