THE letter from John Jacoby about petrol prices made my blood boil (August 7). I notice he very conveniently lives in York and will be lucky enough not to have to use a car too often - unlike us poor unfortunate rural residents for whom a car is a necessity not a luxury.

Surely, Mr Jacoby must realise that increasing petrol/diesel costs affects not only car drivers but also lorries, taxis, trains and buses - leading to increased fares and consumer costs to the public from higher haulage costs.

Cars are a lifeline to many people, and not just people in rural communities, so let's have some fresh ideas on restoring car usage which are more practical.

Perhaps this Government could restrict the number of cars in a household - and leave the already high cost of petrol and diesel alone.

Hilary Wood,

Langley Drive,

Norton, Malton.

...IN response to the letter by Richard Leigh Perkins (August 12) regarding travel concessions for pensioners, I must agree that it seems most unfair for car- owning pensioners to miss out on the savings offered to others.

However, the suggestion that pensioners should be given a concession at the petrol pumps does assume that all pensioner drivers are scrupulously honest. For example, it would be difficult to ensure that the person benefiting from the cheaper petrol was actually the owner of the car in question and not merely filling the tank for a friend or relative.

Even if the car registration number were associated with the driver via an ID card, I am sure a two metre length of rubber tubing would become a valuable investment for some. We may even see an emerging black (or grey?) market for pensioner-subsidised petrol.

The only way to ensure fairness would be to issue ration coupons which would provide nostalgic reminiscences for many pensioners. Remember, if a system can be exploited it will be.

Martin Hayton,

Hallard Way,

Strensall, York.