DURING the current prolonged spell of bad weather it is reasonable to assume that public transport may be affected by the conditions.

However, we should hope that the operators will at least make an effort and it is disappointing, not to say infuriating, that the train service provided by Scotrail falls so far short of what we should expect from a national public transport operator.

Last Friday evening, trains were running on the Helensburgh line after earlier disruption caused by a train breakdown and bad weather. However, because some of the trains were running late, Scotrail decided that they would not be stopping at any of the stations between Helensburgh and Dumbarton.

This was at a time of evening after local bus services had ended.

By no stretch of the imagination can this be called a public service as passengers already on trains and those waiting for one were put to serious and needless inconvenience. It appears that this practice of running straight-through services continued on Saturday also.

Even if Scotrail are totally indifferent to the welfare of their passengers, it is difficult to fathom why, as a commercial enterprise, they would not be stopping to allow more customers to board, if only to collect their fares.

Bob Murray, Cardross, Dumbarton

Bridge concern

I see that the Forth Road Bridge’s closure also extends to pedestrians and cyclists. If their minimal extra weight is considered problematic, then the structure is clearly in more trouble than the public is being told.

My guess is that the bridge will never re-open to traffic. But what are the safety implications for people living nearby in the case of total or partial collapse?

John Eoin Douglas, by email

This fine isn't fair

Reading the story about the couple facing the loss of their car due to an unpaid bus lane fine (Evening Times, second edition on Tuesday), I have to say this lane is a money-making scam.

All they have done is misuse legislative powers as a council to create spurious offences, in this case by erecting a so-called bus gate.

I can see no other purpose for it except to extract money from drivers.

I hope the couple win their case as the punishment is disproportionate.

Johnny Mack, posted online

There's no justice

This is rather unjustified considering Glasgow City Council didn’t pursue the city councillors who “didn’t pay their council tax” with the same vigour!

David Keane, posted online