YOUR report (Oxford Mail, June 13) that elderly people are suffering from the loss of the second Dial-a-Ride bus in the city comes as no surprise.

The second bus was introduced, paid for by the city council, some years ago to help to meet the growing need for this door-to-door transport for elderly and disabled people.

Labour decided in February this year that they would not continue to fund this second minibus, on the totally spurious grounds that their government grant had been cut and the county council should provide it anyway.

For Cllr Price to say that the grant was cut by 28 per cent this year is untrue.

The grant was cut by 28 per cent over four years – a very different situation. And Cllr Price fails to mention that the City actually received considerable extra money from Government under a different heading, which has enabled him to spend an extra £1m every year for three years!

Liberal Democrats proposed an alternative budget for 2012/3 which used some, a mere £58k, of this extra £1m, to be spent on a second Dial-a-Ride bus. Labour rejected this and have continued to refuse to recognise the needs of elderly and disabled people in the city.

It is time to admit you got it wrong, Labour – as yet there is no decision on the way some of the new £1m will be spent, but there is a crying need for that second bus.

So just put in the request to the county council and write the cheque!

JEAN FOOKS Leader Liberal Democrat opposition on Oxford City Council