YOUR VIEWS

Having been taken ill while visiting Majorca in the last couple of weeks, I was due to return to England on the 14/10/11 but could only fly into Birmingham as the flight was the only one on that day that allowed oxygen.

The doctor who was travelling with me insisted that I had assistance from the ambulance that took me to the airport to the gate of the aircraft.
Upon arrival at the gate I was the ninth person in a wheel chair, my doctor said he had never seen as many people in wheel chairs for a flight back to England, and that Birmingham would not have enough chairs.

Well, we arrived back in Birmingham and as people deplaned the nine people in wheel chairs were informed that the ambulink that would take them from the plane into the airport had been delayed and would take about 20 mins for it to arrive. In fact it arrived in just over 5 minutes.

But only two of us were left in wheel chairs, the other seven had recovered and walked off the plane.
I can only think that Birmingham is going to be a big rival to Lourdes in the very near future.
Best wishes

Chris Wilson
Morecambe
Dear Sir,

Jason Moore says that Majorca has, “Almost World Class” Public Transport. I wonder if he has ever taken, or tried to take, public transport from Palmanova to Palma.

While a glance at the timetable seems to show plenty of buses, the reality is that they are often overcrowded to the point that in busy times they literally can't squeeze any more people on, and, when one does come that you can get on, you are standing all the way, along with many others.

To put it in perspective, I have taken public buses all around the world, from Columbia and Costa Rica, to India and Sri Lanka, and I have never been on busses more routinely overcrowded than these.

This is bad enough for commuters, but, on an Island that wants holidaymakers who actually leave their all inclusive hotels and visit other places.
These busses go a long way to putting off anyone from leaving the immediate area of where they are staying.
Taking this a stage further. Many people come over here, particularly at the beginning and end of the season, taking advantage of low fares on planes, and excellent deals on hotels and apartments, only to find they are faced with a 75 euros return fare in a Taxi.

Think how much better would it be for them if there was a bus stop at the airport, with “Palma Nova, Magalluf, Santa Ponsa” on the sign. Many people would still take the taxi, but at least there would be an alternative for them.

Jason says most people on the island show no real interest in catching the bus. Well Jason, when I know that I will be able to get on the scheduled bus, and when I know the journey will be safe and comfortable, I will start using the bus regularly.

Till then, I'll keep using the car.
Andy Charlton