WHEN First York introduced the Metro service last September, it gave the people of Rawcliffe the worst bus service in living memory - hourly through the centre of Rawcliffe where 4,000 people live. Even the small village of Skelton has two buses an hour.

However, and in acknowledgement of the fact that local people were having to use the Rawcliffe Bar Park & Ride service, extra stops were provided at East Cottages (primarily for Norwich Union employees) and Clifton Green.

A single fare to Clifton Green was 70p. This became 75p on February 12 in accordance with a 5p rise across York. However, on February 14, the fare doubled to £1.50. A 100 per cent rise in two days. My daughter, who is in full time education, now has to pay this to travel one mile. Is this the dearest fare in Yorkshire? Shame on First York. Why is it surcharging people who are forced to use the Park&Ride?

Having now read that council tax payers are paying for free travel for council employees this really is disgusting - all these people are on good salaries and capable of paying themselves.

I ask Councillor Merrett (Transport & Planning): who sanctioned this arrangement when bus fares for ordinary people are so high? If he had any credibility before your report then he certainly doesn't now. What about free fares for all!

D Lewis,

Shipton Road,

York.

Updated: 10:39 Tuesday, March 12, 2002