TRAVEL on the Park & Ride on Tuesday, November 2, was an altogether different experience than my usual bi-weekly adventure.

I have eventually come to terms with the indifference of the staff (management, after all, get the staff they deserve) and I am trying to accept that it is unreasonable for me to expect that a Park & Ride will have an available parking space at 11.45am on a wet Tuesday in November when it is not even a school holiday.

As a resident close to Askham Bar, an invitation on an exceedingly tatty notice to drive all the way to the Grimston Bar holds no attraction.

Today, however, was an altogether more exciting experience.

Firstly the new, shiny silver bus. Not only does it have no facility for the driver to stack coins as is usual with other buses, it apparently has a cunning device which disables the ticket machine when the bus doors are closed.

I understand that every time the bus stops and the doors are opened, the driver has to enter his pin number before he can take money and dispense tickets.

The driver appears to have two options: travel with the doors open (there may be a device which prevents this); not take money from the customers.

On my inward and outward journeys the drivers were in open revolt, choosing the latter option.

Who am I to complain, I only pay 50p for a Day Rover?

I am a strong supporter, and frequent user of the Park & Ride scheme. It is a great shame that a potentially excellent service is spoiled by a poor management who fail miserably to lead, direct and inspire its staff.

David Walkden,

Moor End,

Acaster Malbis,

York.

Updated: 10:19 Saturday, November 06, 2004