THE take-over of Wycombe Bus by Arriva prompts me to record my experience of local buses of the former company.

Having sounded off to anyone who would listen about the need to reduce car use, I thought I'd better do my bit towards reducing congestion and carbon dioxide emissions, so I have started using the bus in place of my car for some journeys, to show it can be done.

Unlike some of your correspondents, I have been reasonably satisfied with the timekeeping and civility of the drivers in the face of adverse weather and traffic; and, once underway, the journey, I find, is more relaxing than driving oneself.

Even the cost, once car-parking fees are taken into account, isn't too bad.

So how can Arriva improve things? For a start, they can start cleaning interiors of buses regularly; many I have travelled on have been litter-strewn and filthy.

However, more fundamental improvements can only come from government: we need measures that actually achieve something: how about a bus lane from the bus station to the Oxford Road roundabout and traffic light priority from High Street?

There need to be financial measures to help bus companies cope with high fuel costs and wages without simply having to pass them on as fare rises.

So I wish Arriva well. Incidentally the division of Arriva which is involved have recently won an industry award as Bus Operator of the Year, so let's hope they merit this accolade by their future performance here too.

The current growth in car use is not sustainable; almost everyone could make some of their car journeys by public transport; let's encourage Arriva and other companies to maintain a decent network of services by giving them our support when we can.

Michael Chadwick

Stokenchurch