I WOULD like to respond to Chrissie Bainbridge, business performance director at First, about his correspondence (Daily Echo, October 12) on their bus changes?

I can accept that the city council has withdrawn bus subsidies as a result of unprecedented direct grant cuts from central government and consequently that travel routes have to be driven by commercial factors such as patronage.

However, I cannot accept the decision by First to run buses on routes already well served by other operators in the City such as their number 10 that now duplicates excellent provision in Bitterne whilst at the same time reducing provision in Peartree with the withdrawal of evening and Sunday services.

I also cannot accept that First routinely meet with councillors.

I and other councillors in Peartree, which has been seriously affected by these changes, were not invited by First to discuss the issues locally.

The decisions were made without any consultation of local people.

I would be happy, along with Mr Alan Carhill, to arrange a public meeting in Peartree with representatives from First to discuss the issues regarding the number nine and number 13.

Never mind meeting with the Daily Echo, meet with local people to discuss how best to improve passenger levels so as to make more bus routes in the city commercially viable.

COUNCILLOR EAMONN KEOGH Peartree Ward Southampton City Council