I am an occasional bus-user, but I have found each and every experience to be an absolute nightmare. Last week I stood at the bus terminal in St Helens for 40 minutes and in the end I had to go and catch a black cab which cost me more than �6.

Don't get me wrong, buses left the terminal every few minutes on the route I required, the problem was that I had my 18-month-old son in his pram and the buses could not accommodate the pram due to the fact all the buses had steps which made getting on the bus absolutely impossible. Some buses also had handrails up the centre of the steps so anyone with a pram or a wheelchair, could not get on.

The only way the bus drivers would allow me on was if I took my little boy out of the pram and folded it down. I had just been round town shopping and had shopping bags galore in the pram basket. How on earth can anyone expect me to fold up a pram (which takes both hands), while simultaneously holding onto a very inquisitive and adventurous toddler, plus keeping hold of my handbag and numerous large shopping bags and then manage to clamber onto the bus, pay my fare, dump the pram and bags and then finally sit down? I am not superwoman.

Where are all the pram and wheelchair-friendly buses? I find it totally unacceptable in this day and age where all new buildings must have ramps to allow disabled access, that our public transport simply does not accommodate prams and wheelchairs.

On another occasion, I caught the bus from my house into St Helens town centre, again with my little boy, and thought I would try and risk the trip without the pram as I was sick of the hassle. Along came a bus and it was great being able to climb on with the minimum of fuss, carrying just my son and my handbag. I paid my fare, and as I walked to take a seat, the bus driver pulled out and continued his journey. My son and I nearly ended up sprawled in the aisle as I lost my balance. I have also seen bus drivers do this to very elderly passengers and think it is very dangerous .I am making a plea to all local bus companies. Please, please, I know you won't be able to replace all your buses with immediate effect, but can you not plan in advance so that, for example, every other bus is one which can accommodate prams or wheelchairs. This is 2006 and the bus users of St Helens deserve better.

ST HELENS mum, (name and address supplied)