I write on behalf of a number of Joseph Rowntree pupils - all of whom have received deplorable service from First York bus service over recent weeks.

During the last two months the Y8 bus, scheduled to arrive at the Kettlestring Lane, Clifton Moor stop at 8am, has failed to arrive at least five times.

This has meant we have been without transportation from home in very poor weather conditions and have had to resort to taxi services costing £8 a ride to take us to school for the 8.50am start.

I have complained on each occasion and have been given numerous explanations including "no driver available" and "the bus is off the road" - hence no service!

This is totally unacceptable when our education is at risk. Many of our vital exams start at 9am - including the current mock GCSEs. I hope my comments will lead to some positive action by First York.

Chris Purcell,

Oakdale Moor,

Clifton Moor, York.

...If you look carefully at the proposed bus alterations you will note that many services are revised to close down after 6pm or 6.30pm, and that on Sundays almost all routes will cease running at about this time.

It is important that First York is challenged about these changes, even if evening work is not too profitable.

There are strong social reasons for evening services, particularly at weekends.

R T Stevens,

Willow Bank,

New Earswick,

York