DURING 2007 First York provided a bus service that can only be described as appalling. I therefore find it difficult to start with a catalogue of complaints that so many people have ratified.

Shutting doors in people's faces, putting the vehicle into motion before passengers are seated (particularly the elderly) are two points in question.

The continued tardy service of the Number 6 bus from Osbaldwick to Clifton Moor. This is advertised as a ten-minute service, and buses regularly leave Osbaldwick in a convoy of two to three vehicles at 30 to 40-minute intervals.

Passengers, mainly senior citizens, students and young people, do not protest. They fear the vitriolic comments from the majority of rude and lackadaisical drivers.

Not all drivers are of this ilk. Some are very polite and helpful. Unfortunately they are a minority.

Complaints to First York management and city council transport officials fall on deaf ears.

J H Roy, Hadrian Avenue, York.


* Once again, First York is taking advantage of its near monopoly of York's bus system to increase prices well above the rate of inflation.

The latest move is the most ridiculous yet, by introducing travel zones for York, meaning a trip on the ftr across the city can cost up to £2.50.

York is a small city and it is surely not necessary to split a journey of a few miles into zones, especially with such large financial increments.

Travel zones are meant for large metropolitan cities such as London, where incidentally a single journey with an Oyster card across the city costs only £2.

The other result of rising bus prices will be that more of the student population will look for accommodation close to the University of York, to save on increasing travel costs.

Whereas now some students live in Acomb and Holgate, they will be looking towards the east of York in the next academic year, as it will be the more financially sensible option.

It will also encourage more university staff into their cars as the cheaper option, when what we should be doing is encouraging people to travel to work by public transport.

Andrew Collingwood, Turners Croft, Heslington, York.