The view expressed by John Power on the lack of support for rural bus services, and his own objection to subsidies (Oxford Mail, August 18), claiming that this form of transport does not "fit in with the lifestyles of the majority of people in this country", may well be correct.

However, for the sake of the environment and people who are wholly reliant on public transport, surely more money should be made available from central Government to make this mode of transport more attractive and eventually persuade those addicted to their cars to use buses -- but they will never do that while the private car provides not only convenient but cheaper travel.

Who can blame them?

Without buses, those who do not own cars, such as me, would be completely cut off. Public transport is not only useful for the occasional jaunt, but it is essential for the well-being of many rural dwellers.

It is not fair to blame the bus operators for high fares: they have to make the system work for themselves as well as for us. Until bus fares appear attractive to a wider section of the public, the system will continue to be under-used.

Higher subsidies, not withdrawal, could achieve this end.

Citizens who cannot afford to run a car do not deserve to be penalised by the removal of their only form of local transport. BEA BRADLEY, Cuxham Road, Watlington