I WAS interested to read the letter by Peter Edwards of First buses (Letters, January 2).

I'm intrigued about the process of purchasing tickets in advance. I have never seen one of these 'PayPoints' anywhere in York. Are there any in the outskirts, where most residents live? If they are only in the city centre, First should be told that not many people start their journey in town.

I was hoping to research into where these 'PayPoints' are in York but, sadly, that information is not available on First's website.

Readers will be glad to know, however, that you can find out much more useful information such as the registration plates for every bus in the fleet, presumably for either bus spotters or the unfortunate residents of York who have to file insurance claims after having buses ploughing through their front rooms.

Maybe that's one of the contributions to the bus fare rise, which I am annoyed at. As a student, I cannot justify spending £3 for a 20-minute return ride. I shall now be walking.

Saying that, I would be happy to pay an increased fare if there were a corresponding improvement in service and not only the appearance of a few shiny new extended buses that will no doubt end up on one of the Park & Ride routes or be found stuck on one of the narrow corners of York.

But as it stands with these new fares, I will be fine paying with £20 notes because getting the change will not take the driver any time at all.

Philip Lickley,

Wheatlands Grove, York.

Updated: 10:32 Wednesday, January 04, 2006