A lot has been said about the over 60s' free bus travel passes with their complicated rules and restrictions governing their usage.

Nigel Eggleton, commercial director of Oxford Bus Company, attempted to explain how the system works (Oxford Mail, April 17), but it is still very confusing.

As drivers issue single journey tickets (returns not being available), a senior citizen travelling from Abingdon to Oxford would not have to pay.

But, will he or she be charged the full fare on the return journey, equivalent to what a city pensioner travelling to Abingdon would have to pay?

What was hailed as a welcome bonus to pensioners has fallen flat because the small print attached to the issue of each bus pass by each district has taken the shine out of them.

Further, those pensioners who receive no benefits and pay council tax are worse off as there will be no £200 rebate.

For these pensioners, the exchange is a poor deal as it appears that the bus operators have gained at their expense.

I have a strong suspicion that the Chancellor's announcement of free bus travel, to be made available countrywide to all pensioners by 2008, is closely linked with the closure of banks and village post offices.

Pensioners in these areas will be able to travel to the nearest town or village that has a bank to collect their pensions and do their weekly shopping without incurring expensive travel costs.

Vim Rodrigo Rivermead Road Rose Hill Oxford