With reference to Alan Bond’s letter (October 13), the single bus fare from Minehead to Taunton bus station is £5.20. The buses look smart enough but the leg-room, particularly in the right-hand row of seats, is very cramped and I imagine that the larger bodied people one sees about would take up an entire double seat.

The ride quality is awful, particularly on poor road surfaces. The whole structure of the buses shake and rattle as though they have no springs whatsoever – a far from pleasant experience.

That is if you can actually get on a bus. On September 4, a Butlin’s change-over day, I attempted to catch the 11.10 bus from Bancks Street. The bus went straight past us, waiting at the stop, displaying a ‘Sorry Bus Full’ sign. Ten minutes later, an empty white-liveried bus appeared but refused to stop at my signal. Half an hour later, another bus appeared and, although it was nearly bursting with standing passengers, those waiting with me managed to get aboard.

I believe Butlin’s should have a dedicated bus so that Minehead residents and non-Bultiners can get the service they deserve.

Re the West Somerset Railway, those Butliners requiring transport to Taunton could probably be accommodated in one and a half empty carriages of a diesel railcar for one journey the length of the line once a week. Hardly enough to warrant reopening the entire railway to Taunton.

P D Boobier, St Michael’s Road, Minehead.