THE latest bus fares increases from First could be said to "drive a coach and horses" through the council's sustainable transport plans in the local transport plan, LTP2.

It is obvious that a 66 per cent increase in the cost of a child ticket (or 50 per cent of a monthly pass) will encourage families to use a car where they can, in preference to the bus.

A family of four travelling between Fulford and the city centre will now find it about the same price to take a taxi as to get the bus, unless they use the cheaper Arriva 415 service.

Even driving out to the Park & Ride to catch a bus back into town could be a cheaper option!

City of York Council needs to rein in these excessive charges. If this can't be achieved through the 'Quality Bus Partnership', we should bring in a Quality Contract that ensures the public investment made in new stops, priority lanes and the like provides a fair return in terms of modern, competitively-priced services for all.

In London, Mayor Ken Livingstone, with Green Party support, has strongly invested in better public transport, with free travel for under 16s.

If City of York Council lets them get away with these increases, First will expect to continue to make excessive profits from families who can least afford them.

Why not offer discounted return family tickets, and not only for Park & Ride Services?

Coun Andy D'Agorne,

Green Party Transport Spokesperson,

Broadway West,

York.

Updated: 10:32 Wednesday, January 04, 2006