A LONG wait at a bus stop for a service that is late is one of life's irritations – worse if a clock-watching boss is fuming at the other end of the journey or a hospital appointment is missed.
And at this time of year, as temperatures fall and the nights get longer, the discomfort of standing in the cold and dark is especially frustrating.
It is right, then, that passengers should get refunds – or the cost of a cab – if services fail to turn up on time.
Bus users are customers and, as such, have every right to expect a top-class level of care.
If they are not getting what they pay for, they should be entitled to recompense.
The refund plan is part of a package of improvements announced by Travel West Midlands and Centro WMPTA. We applaud their ambition and determination.
If our public transport operators and regulators are serious about tempting commuters out of their cars and on to buses and trains then they must ensure that services are pleasant to use and – above all – reliable.
Let us hope that this is a major step forward towards making public transport the obvious choice for commuters.
Our roads will be clearer, our air cleaner...and our finger nails less bitten.