The much maligned - by those who haven't yet got one - bus pass reaches the grand age of 10 at the end of this month. On Thursday 28th March, six London pensioners will deliver a giant birthday card to the Prime Minister while a group of intrepid senior citizens from Oxford will complete a circuitous journey by bus to the capital. For those no longer able to drive - for economic or health reasons - the bus pass is a valuable contributor to their desire to maintain their independence. For the rural economy especially, it is a valuable aid to tourism which in turn helps to underwrite the costs of employment and thus ensure the survival of many businesses. It is an oft used cliche that the value of many 'goodies' is not appreciated until they are lost - think post office, bank, railway station! We must make sure the bus pass does not join the list!