READING about Dr Simon Ward waiting for buses and his fears over a "bus-eating monster" lurking in Wigginton (July 19), I should like to ask him to lead it to Osbaldwick if he manages to track it down.

Here, this monster would be able to gorge on the 14 buses an hour running along Murton Way, providing it was fast enough to catch these eight-ton vehicles as they speed through the village with no regard to the safety of other road users or residents.

Perhaps this monster would like to lurk on the footpaths or verges because they are used as bus lanes. Pedestrians beware, cyclists - forget it.

I do hope this monster has cast-iron lungs because, according to Department of Transport figures, each 7.3 litre diesel bus produces the same amount of nitrogen oxides and particulate poisons as 72 petrol cars, hardly environmentally friendly transport as the last council would have us believe.

I hope the new council will look at safety on saturation bus routes, as well as introducing smaller buses on residential routes, preferably gas powered.

M Warters,

Yew Tree Mews,

Osbaldwick, York.

...OH, Dr Ward, if you want to experience the joys of a really long wait for a bus, then move to South Bank or Bishopthorpe.

We have what is arguably the worst service in York, and our bus-eating monster is bigger than yours.

I have seen as many as three No 11s go down to Ashley Park and none have come back. Sometimes, when we eventually do get a bus after anything up to two hours, we will pass one going into town which has obviously materialised directly at Bishopthorpe, thereby avoiding any bus stops en-route.

If there are any trophies going for the worst service I claim them on behalf of the No 11 and its ever-hopeful, yet frequently disappointed, would-be passengers!

P Witlea,

De Grey Place,

Bishopthorpe,

York.

...I THANK the First bus company for listening to the passengers and restoring the no 16 bus route from Acomb to Boroughbridge Road in York.

Also thank you to Councillor Tracey Simpson-Laing for her help.

Come on passengers, support this bus route to ensure that it is kept permanently.

Jane Addison,

Plantation Drive,

York.

Updated: 10:52 Monday, July 28, 2003