I DON'T agree with John Robson's view that people complaining about the large bus fare rises are "whingers" (letters, January 20).

However, I do think that a large amount of letters have been printed complaining about the rises, but no letters have been printed explaining the action that people can take to address this issue.

Coun Andy D'Agorne called for a quality contract to rein in the excessive increases in bus fares introduced by First (Letters, January 4).

A quality bus contract is a legal agreement which allows the council to decide how bus services are operated. Benefits include:

better integration of local transport services, including interchangeable tickets and passes

better co-ordination of timetables between services

regulating fares to promote social inclusion.

Norwich City Council has recently backed a motion to work to secure a quality contract for bus services in its area.

Norwich bus services are currently run by... First. It was reported in the Norwich Evening News that: "First has come under fire after cutting the vital service to the Norwich and Norfolk University Hospital, for fare hikes and for two strikes which cost city businesses thousands."

So if you think that local people should have a say in what bus services are run, when they are run and what fares are charged, tell your councillor you want them to push for a quality contract for York.

Alan Swain,

Woodsmill Quay,

Skeldergate,

York.

Updated: 09:08 Thursday, January 26, 2006