In your editorial for March 23, concerning the announcement by First that they are making bus service cuts in the Greater Bristol area, you state: "Bosses at First are understandably keen to save money and increase their profit margins. But the service they provide comes with a social responsibility."

I'm sorry, but have you actually read the 1985 Transport Act that set up the way in which bus services are operated today?

Yes, a piece of Conservative legislation, but one which the Labour administration of almost 12 years has done little to amend until quite recently.

There is no mention there of a social responsibility falling upon the bus company, but actually on the shoulders of the local authority to support those routes that bus companies do not find it economical to run and which are considered by them to be socially necessary.

Or would you rather have First (and indeed other bus companies) suffer losses this year that drive them out of business, and results in the abandonment of all of the bus services that they operate?

We are in a recession, and companies have a duty to protect the long-term viability of their business.

Dr Mike Walker Wells Somerset