I could not believe what I read in The Press on Monday night (April 24) about the "ftr" of city travel and larger "luxury" buses on York's Number Four bus route.

"Plush nightclub seating" is not needed for what, for most of us, is a 15-minute bus ride to the city centre - I don't even mind standing. I used to think the bus service was excellent. About 18 months ago there were frequent services into the city for little over £1. Now it's £1.50, a massive jump.

I can foresee problems with the new system because I know some people don't like using mobile phones and I wonder how efficiently the vending machine will work with tourists and those inebriated people on the "vomit comet" buses late on. Also, how can it be, as Mr Edwards puts it, "relativity more convenient to pre-pay"? All I have to do is reach into my pocket and pull out some cash.

J Woodhall,

Mayfield Grove,

Dringhouses, York.

Updated: 09:52 Wednesday, April 26, 2006