IT was no surprise to read in the Advertiser/Messenger that bus use in the Bromsgrove area has reduced by 26 per cent in the last year.

It doesn't take a genius to see why. First Group, which operates most of the buses within Bromsgrove, has systematically cut services whilst increasing prices.

On my daily bus route to Birmingham alone there have been major cuts. Last year I could use either the 144 or the 143 to get me to work. First then changed the route of the 144 leaving residents of the Birmingham Road in Lickey End without a bus route. Following this it then decimated the 143 service by reducing the service so that it only runs from Redditch to Bromsgrove. First have also stopped the 92 bus which used to service residents in Catshill.

These are only a few of the bus routes that have either been reduced or cut altogether.

Despite receiving subsidies from Worcestershire County Council, First continue to operate solely to make profits instead of working with councils to promote the mobility of communities. To their credit they do this very well!

On May 17 of this year First announced that pre-tax profits increased to £157.4m last year from £155.7m. Sales have risen to £3.03bn from £2.69bn the year before

The group's UK bus business increased sales to £1.03bn from £960.7m the year before, though higher fuel costs impacted operating profits, which fell to only £108.6m from £115.2m in the previous year!

I have to ask why it is that a company that makes such huge profits continues to receive subsidies from our council. Why should my council tax go towards generating extra cash for the shareholders of First Group?

If bus use in Bromsgrove is going to increase then our county councillors need to put pressure on First Group to use some of their profits to increase bus services instead of making cuts.

Helen Russell

Churchfields Road

Bromsgrove