I AM a bus passenger on the 31X route from Kirkbymoorside and Helmsley to York, which appears threatened.

I use this to make rail connections at York for essential visits to sick relatives far away (I no longer drive); to catch trains for holiday purposes (there is no bus direct to Malton station); to visit York for medical appointments and to visit sick friends in hospital; and to visit York libraries for research as a student.

North Yorkshire County Council’s website shows there is to be a new timetable from April 29. Some people returning home ignorant of the change - workers, students, visitors - may be stranded.

I phoned NYCC twice to pass on local worry as to their intentions. This has helped me no further - just telling me the timetable is as February 18. The phone number given by NYCC for Malton Transdev was unanswered - “mailbox full”.

Today when I rang NYCC they said they would “pass it on”- and there would be a “similar frequency” on the new timetable. Not so.

A source has informed me that the evening bus from York to Kirkbymoorside is to be withdrawn. This would be catastrophic for many people, affecting all kinds of plans based on a late afternoon bus.

I asked NYCC as their subsidy is given to this service. I would much appreciate through your columns reaching other 31X passengers, encouraging them, parish councils along the route from Kirkbymoorside, Helmsley, Oswaldkirk, Ampleforth (Abbey and College), Byland with Wass, Coxwold, Husthwaite and Easingwold, and visitors from or via York, to make their views known.

People could also inform me at johnopenlearning18@gmail.com

John Dean,

Beadlam, Nawton