Sir, The introduction of the X62 bus service was highlighted by First Bus as providing an improved bus service between Galashiels and Edinburgh. Sadly, the reality for those of us who are daily commuters has been somewhat different.

For the last month during very cold weather First Bus have been running what can only be described as a fridge on wheels on the 7.20am from Cardrona each morning. The 5.20pm bus from Edinburgh is often equally Baltic on the return journey and other buses share similar problems. Commuters on this route seem more equipped for an Arctic expedition than a comfortable bus journey.

Complaints to drivers have been met with shrugs and comments that the heating is working even when all evidence points to the opposite. E-mails to First Bus have been fobbed off with comments that this “has been reported to the depot” but with no evidence of any change.

To compound the problem, First Bus have decided in their wisdom that as part of their move to an X service to actually increase the time the bus takes with another 10 minutes added on the journey. Buses now trundle along at a speed that sometimes barely enables them to pass cyclists. Thus we now have both a slow and cold service.

Emails to our MSP receive no reply although I do receive regular blanket emails on the “next” proposed talks with First Bus. Clearly, talks to date have been less than productive. However, at least she is trying to do something.

The lack of feedback from councillors to recent letters on First Bus in your pages makes me wonder if any of them actually ever travel by bus. Given the importance such representatives put on good transport links in the Borders can I suggest that they take a break from posturing over The Great Tapestry debate and focus on issues that directly affect their constituents, ie ensuring a fast and preferably heated bus service in the Borders.

I am, etc.

John Coll Cardona