SO City of York councillors believe First York's recent short-notice, massive fares increase was not "...in the spirit of discussions" being held.

Well councillors, wise up, and quickly. In Linton-on-Ouse we were given less than three weeks' notice in January that First York was slashing our bus service to York from 13 a day to just five.

With no regard to people's jobs, the simple response from John Fletcher, the company's spokesperson, was "...we are here to make money".

After questioning one of First York's drivers I also found out that the company was planning to end services to this area completely, an accusation vehemently denied by Mr Fletcher in a telephone conversation with my wife. Within one month, First York ceased their bus service totally. Mr Fletcher failed to return several of my phone calls and took two weeks to answer an e-mail.

First York has no regard for their customers and the quicker the council intervenes, before fares on their remaining routes go through the roof, the better.

The only way to end this disgraceful treatment is to offer the bus routes to companies which treat their customers with more respect.

Gary Beaumont,

Linton Meadows,

Linton-on-Ouse, York.

...W SULLIVAN expresses concerns about forthcoming changes to travel concessions for pensioners (Letters, November 10). I hope I can clarify the situation for your readers.

The Government has announced that, from April 2001, pensioners and people with disabilities will be able to travel at half price on their local bus services after 9.30am on weekdays and all day at weekends.

The scheme will be administered by local authorities which will issue passes and reimburse the bus companies.

Under the new scheme, local authorities can offer pensioners alternatives to the half-price bus pass.

In York we have the tokens scheme which is of particular value to people who make infrequent trips and to those of limited mobility who cannot use buses.

Council members have decided to retain a tokens scheme. In April, your correspondent will be able to choose whether tokens or a bus pass meet his needs.

The value of tokens available to pensioners will be decided in the new year when the council sets its budget.

Dave Pearson,

Principal Transport Planner (Operations),

City of York Council.

...HAVING just returned, yet again, from picking up my daughter from school because the First York 165 has failed to turn up, I must speak out.

I have previously complained to First York, receiving several excuses ranging from floods to volume of traffic, but enough is enough. In the Evening Press we are swamped with articles on how wonderful the service is, how the bus companies put the school children first, they won't leave children standing, and now we even have a front page spread on the 'buses revolution'.

Well, if this is a good service I would hate to see a bad one.

There is one school bus in the morning from Woodthorpe, which goes to Oaklands, Lowfield and Manor, and four times in the last two weeks it has either not turned up at all or has arrived in Woodthorpe at 9am.

Likewise, in the evening I have had to pick up my daughter because a bus has failed to turn up. I am fortunate, I have transport and finish work at 3.30pm. But what about those who don't? I find the thought of my child walking some distance in the dark quite distressing, especially when I have been assured of a "reliable" bus service. Before First York has a bus revolution, I suggest they improve their existing services.

Barbara Burn,

Stonethwaite,

Woodthorpe, York.