I HAVE never been a fan of bus travel but appreciate the benefits to many people, my elderly mother included. An incident last week, however, has left my family furious with First York.

My mother, in her late 70s, regularly travels from Haxby to play bingo at Clifton, via York station. On reaching the station, she got on to her regular bus to Rawcliffe Bar Park&Ride and asked for Clifton Green, her usual stop.

No ticket was issued and she took a seat, only to find the bus set off in a different direction. My mother asked the driver why there was a change of route, and was told there was a diversion in place and the bus would be travelling directly to Rawcliffe Bar.

My mother asked to be let off at the next stop but was refused. At Rawcliffe Bar, the bus was switched off and the driver abandoned the bus and its occupants to their fate. My mother was left to walk the best part of two miles, in the pouring rain, to Clifton bingo. I am awaiting First York’s response to my complaint – “someone will reply to your comments within ten working days”.

P Richardson, Wigginton, York.