SO it's farewell to John Fletcher at First York (October 16). And not before time.

Having been unable to get a bus from town to Clifton Moor on Tuesday after 5.30pm and having to pay £5 for a taxi, I regret that I shall be unable to be at James Street to give Mr Fletcher the send off that I feel he so richly deserves.

I also resent Mr Fletcher's easy progression to another job especially when I might conceivably have to give up my job due to difficulties in travelling on the nightmare system that he helped to create.

Other members of management at First York have helped to create this 'monster'.

And the council are not blameless. They could have done more for bus travel. For example the proposed bus-only lanes on some of the busiest routes into the city could have been implemented. They could also have had the courage to ban private cars coming into the city centre at peak commuting times.

Last but not least, the council could find land - eg the old Presto store on George Hudson Street - on which to build a bus station instead of selling the land off to developers for yuppie flats.

Unless City of York Council and First York sit down and thrash out what is becoming a major problem, York will choke on exhaust fumes.

Dr R. Greaves,

Morehall Close,

Rawcliffe, York.

Updated: 10:41 Monday, October 22, 2001