IN January 2003, I took a holiday in Calstock, using the local railway route that runs between Gunnislake and Bere Ferrers for a series of walks, exploring the beautiful unspoilt countryside. Large posters displayed on the line advertised a new winter Sunday train service provided by a grant from the Strategic Rail Authority. However, on the Sunday, the train was a bus. With no notification and just a bus driver, whose job was to drive the bus. It was more by luck than judgement that passengers noticed this bus. There was no staff to give advice or issue tickets. The bus did not provide a service to intermediate stations as the train was advertised to do. I took the matter up with the train company, who just wanted to give out a voucher rather than address the problem, blaming vandalism for lack of information, a poor tale as all posters were well protected at Calstock and, having used three other stations on the line during the week, information was also none existent at these as well. For 18 months I have written to the local Member of Parliament, the Strategic Rail Authority who gave the Government grant and the Rail Passengers Council who look after passengers' interests. So far we have all not been able to find out how much money was given to provide a winter Sunday train service on the Calstock line, and how the funding changes if a cheaper bus service is provided rather than a train. I feel an examination is due into the way buses are put on to replace trains all too often. The replacement bus services are of an inferior quality, are often impossible for the disabled to use, and can not accommodate push bikes and pushchairs or large amounts of luggage. I remain determined to seek an answer. After all rather than pump more money at public transport, would it not be wiser to find out if the money allocated is being spent in an accountable and efficient way?

NICK HARVEY Huddersfield