'Without the bus, I'm snookered'

[NewsCaster]

BBC Scotland correspondent James Cook follows an axed post bus on its round in the Highlands.

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[G-CPTN]

I thought that the concept of the Mail Bus was that the vehicle was delivering mail anyway and would be travelling the route. Passengers were merely 'along for the ride' . . .

[Western SMT]

It's like everything in this world - you no pay you no get

[G-CPTN]

So why are these services ending? The post buses were supported by a subsidy which was paid to the Royal Mail by Highland Council.

Last year that was £12,871.61. This year the Royal Mail asked for £35,300. It was a big jump but councillors insist they were prepared to consider it. The Royal Mail, they claim, wasn't interested.

A report by the council's director of transport, environmental and community services reads: "The Royal Mail has refused repeated requests for a meeting between council officials and their managers."