AS a regular user of Park & Ride from Askham Bar during the peak time of 5.15pm Monday to Friday, I must support L Dove of West Ardsley, Wakefield (Letters, April 17).

On the evening of Tuesday, April 16 between the Fire Station and Clifford's Tower, three Askham Bar Park & Ride buses passed me with, at most, six passengers on board. The third appeared to have only two passengers. This bus pulled away from the stop only yards from me.

I had to wait for more than 20 minutes for the next bus. By this time the queue was stretching back to the zebra crossing, consequently all the passengers waiting at Rougier Street were unable to get on.

This is not an isolated incident, I usually report it to the driver of the bus that eventually arrives hoping he can persuade his bosses to find a solution.

Before the Park & Ride started from Rawcliffe, buses were a lot more frequent, often standing and waiting at Clifford's Tower to collect as many passengers as possible.

Now the motto appears to be "quick, let's pull out and close the door before this passenger can get to the stop. I will keep to the timetable. If I don't look at them maybe they won't see me and will not notice my bus!" Are these buses now spread too thinly to cope with the increased demand?

Park & Ride is not the efficient option it used to be.

W Cuthbert,

Wansbeck,

Woodthorpe, York.

...THE letter from L Dove about the Park & Ride service does not surprise me. I have had a similar experience.

On Friday, April 5 I waited with several other people at the stop opposite York Station from 4pm to 4.30pm. During this half hour three full Park & Ride buses passed without stopping.

I then decided it would be quicker to walk home. This experience does not encourage me to use Park & Ride again.

P R Batty,

Tadcaster Road,

Dringhouses, York.

Updated: 10:32 Monday, April 22, 2002