WHILE correspondents are taking the Stagecoach management to task as they reap the inevitable reward for driving away the majority of Hyndburn Transport drivers and having to employ frustrated strangers who know nothing of the routes, may I paint the picture from the cab?

This might explain why some people get left standing at bus stops.

For example, Blackburn Road, Accrington, from the bus station to Church traffic lights caters for four routes - Accrington to Blackburn, Accrington to Darwen, Accrington to Oswaldtwistle and the Hyndburn Circular service.

Regularly buses pull up opposite intending passengers and the driver opens the doors to be greeted by:

1. An open mouth and a wave away with the hand. 2. An inane embarrassed grin, a giggle, a hand to the mouth and a shake of the head.

3. A surprised, startled stare as if a spaceship had suddenly arrived.

The driver smiles sympathetically and moves on.

At the next stop, another "statue" is waiting. The driver slows down, almost to a stop but, seeing no reaction, he accelerates away.

Then, the "stone statue" suddenly raises both arms up in the air and does a tap dance.

The driver hits the brakes and pulls up just past the stop.

The puffing, panting, passenger arrives and once in the while apologises; more often saying nothing and occasionally berating the driver and threatening to report him or her.

I think it is common knowledge that qualifying for a PSV licence does not include mind reading.

MR D PRATT, Plantation Street, Accrington.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.