We’re glad Colin Webb likes the new Brookes Bus fleet (Oxford Mail, September 3).
They are state-of-the art buses and, in common with all the vehicles we buy, meet the highest environmental standards.
There was a sting in the tail of his letter, with a call for local bus users to be given similarly impressive buses.
The Brookes Bus service is run by Oxford Bus Company on behalf of Oxford Brookes University which makes a significant investment in the service.
In contrast our local city services are commercially operated.
The cost of any new vehicles has to be supported by the fares people pay. We have a proud record of investment over the last few years. In fact the average age of our fleet is about half the national average. We could cut corners and buy cheaper vehicles, but we believe the people of Oxford warrant the best. Over a 10 year period OBC has invested over £26m in new vehicles, with not one penny coming from public funds.
So rather than treating local passengers unfairly, we believe we’re offering a very good service – one that’s the envy of other towns and cities.
LOUISA WEEKS, Operations Director, Oxford Bus Company
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