IS there no end to the barrel-scraping by the critics of ftr to find the maximum number of objections to its introduction?

For example: "Don't like the colour." This is the route colour and aways has been.

"Difficulty leaving Tea Room Square" There has always been traffic conflicting turning right, which is also caused by the York Tour Bus, as well as by normal traffic. "Nobody on the ftr when it passes by." The ftr travels several miles across the city picking up and setting down several hundred passengers most of the day.

"Double-deckers should be used." Most of those who have experienced the "upstairs" on double-deckers will have seen the mayhem that can occur in this unsupervised area. Many passengers cannot negotiate stairs.

"Mothers with prams left behind, no room." This is a problem on all buses; once upon a time, all prams had to be folded.

Regarding the road changes to enable off-street parking, where it has been done the house occupants have benefited. There are people in this city who pay rent for such a privilege. Normal buses and service vehicles have always had problems in some of these streets with cars parked along them.

I could go on.

Full marks to Peter Edwards for fielding many cynical questions. Coun Ann Reid was quite justified with her comments regarding the whingers.

Does anyone really think that a private business such as First would invest £3 million in a fleet of ten ftrs without an enormous amount of research and forward thinking?

The Press may have tried to give a balance of opinions. Perhaps a bit of extra publicity to the whingers.

J Beisly,

Osprey Close,

York.

Editor's note: Our letters and articles have fairly reflected the weight of opinion for and against the ftr among those who have expressed their views to us.

Updated: 11:50 Friday, May 19, 2006