Emphasis is very much on the ‘little’

Now that the razzmatazz experienced at the launch of the “Little and often” Stagecoach minibus service around Ashford has died down, let’s get to the nitty gritty(Little and often is the key to the new service, KE, February 16).

Looking at the centre page photographs, actress Rita Simon had the right idea. If you are over 5ft 9in and 12 stone,that is indeed what you would have to do, put both legs over the seat in front. The seating is so cramped that if the person in the back corner seat of a full coach needs to alight en route at least two or more passengers need to alight as well, if they need to or not.

Mayor George Koowaree sat with Mayoress Gloria Champion with a large metal gong around his neck, which must have weighed a tonne, but where were his two seven-and-half-kilo shopping bags?

Did the gentleman try negotiating said bags past two pushchairs, that take up three drop down seats, the two steps and the narrow aisle. It’s no joke when your 72 years plus. Anyway, where do you put the bags when the bus is full?

I cannot deny the frequency of the service is excellent, nippy and smooth running, but they are not a practical shoppers’ mode of transport.

If you happen to be in the front of the bus queue at Tesco’s Crooksfoot supermarket you can board the bus and slide the shopping bags under the drop down seat, but when two pushchairs attempt to board, where does one move to, get off and catch the bus behind?

As I see it, there is also a health and safety issue. Has the bus company carried out a risk assessment for the drivers who must leave their cabs on the offside of the bus to assist wheelchair users.

Last, timetable information for Maidstone and New Romney is no longer available at both the Mabledon Avenue and Star Road bus stops and there is no longer a direct route to Towers School.

The new scheme has not been very well thought out. B. E. Lawrance Ashford the young man’s name but thank him so very much for showing there are some wonderful people in the world. Gail Pain Rolvenden

Picture: Gary Browne FM4673429 Rita Simons ‘Roxy’ from Eastenders at the launch of the ‘Little and Often’ Stagecoach minibus service around Ashford; Ted Prangnell’s picture of a flock of seagulls invading the pitch at Ashford Rugby Club