IN a country where we are being encouraged to leave our cars at home and use public transport to get to work, could someone please explain to me why First York bus services are so terrible that we are now being forced to use our cars?

The First York service (specifically to the North of the City, in Clifton/Rawcliffe) has always been sparse, irregular and expensive.

Now we discover that we are soon to lose over half of the current services which we currently have.

How can this be a "service improvement"? I now have two services an hour which I can take to work instead of four.

Many people who accompany me on my journey into York in the morning have had their streets cut out of the route altogether, and now face a long walk to Clifton Moor to catch a bus.

The Easingwold/Linton services have been cut altogether. Why is this backwards step being allowed?

Having lived in Sheffield and Reading, both of which have excellent bus services, I can only surmise that the problem here in York lies with a lack of competition or lack of council interest.

With only one bus service available, First York feels free to do what it likes, readily getting away with it because there is no alternative.

It is time for the council to intervene. With expensive parking, few spaces and no buses, how exactly am I expected to get into work?

Lee Tonks,

Bowland Way,

Clifton,

York.

IN response to the editorial about the council's plans for the future of transport in York (May 23) I have to say I have no faith whatsoever in this council and their transport plans.

Everyone who lives in this city knows York needs a bus station and has done for years.

But no member of the council, past or present, seems to want to do anything about it.

There have been many chances to buy land in good positions to build a bus station, but it seems that housing and shops are considered more important.

If York is to be serious about traffic pollution it must take a long-term view and invest in a bus station.

With a central base for all buses, we would have an alternative to the car. At the moment we have none.

D Williamson,

Belmont Close,

Green Lane,

Clifton, York.

LIVING off the Malton Road and needing to get to work for 9am (or, preferably, a little before) should be no problem you would think.

But First York seems to be run and planned by people who have no idea of their customers' needs.

The bus timings, although having changed from time to time over the years, have at least been sufficient for people arriving at work on the hour or half hour.

The new times of 8.05am and 8.35am are completely inadequate. They add a half hour on a working day or carry the risk of being late for work.

For years I have had to pay an exorbitant single fare as there was no bus back after around 5.40pm, a 45-minute walk not being something I relish at the end of a long day. (The single fare is 85p with a return costing £1.05).

They are now promoting times of 6.17pm and 7.17pm - an improvement for some, but for me it is either too early or I would be spending yet another hour away from home.

I do realise that they cannot please everybody all of the time but, as their boast is 'excellent service', I would like to ask 'for whom?'

The popular belief on our bus is that they get the drivers, collect the orders (schools/park and ride etc) and then give us what is left - the people from my end of town would really like to know when it is our turn to be considered.

Jacquie Kerr,

Elmfield Avenue,

Malton Road, York.