Despite my previous enthusiasm for the FTR Streetcar I have since come to be somewhat less than enthusiastic about the whole idea after finding out more of the details.

Firstly, I believe that FTR is utterly and completely impractical for York's roads. The council will have to be very draconian with where it can permit on-road parking if the FTR is to get around many of the current bus routes.

We have already seen that the number 4 service will have to be re-routed to accommodate the use of this vehicle.

Secondly, First has recently put up bus fares arguing that it has staffing costs to consider.

Since tickets for the FTR will need to be pre-purchased off the bus, there is going to have to be someone on every bus who can check the passengers have a valid ticket (currently the drivers do this).

This will surely mean that soon First will be having to employ either more inspectors or conductors. That will really escalate staffing costs and invite further huge fare rises.

Thirdly, I understand that these vehicles will actually be considerably less fuel efficient than the existing fleet of buses. So there will be more fuel costs, again leading to ever-higher fares.

It seems to me berserk to impose such an ill-conceived scheme on a city such as York.

First won't come out of this any better off than it is now and the passengers certainly won't.

Maybe the Evening Press could run a petition against the FTR?

Richard Greaves,

Morehall Close,

York.

Updated: 10:16 Monday, January 09, 2006