I refer to your excellent article about the initiative taken by Arriva to voluntarily fit audio/visual equipment on their buses (Next stop announcements to help blind passengers, March 25).

This will provide the “eyes and ears” for those with sight or hearing loss who are unable to identify bus stops in the city. It also benefits all citizens on evening services when it is darker.

I notice that First York are to introduce similar enhancements on the next tranche of Park&Ride buses. This is only because the council are requiring them to do so as part of their contract!

What about the rest of the fleet over which the council has no influence? What are the excuses now?

Bob Towner,

York Older People’s Assembly,

Hobgate, York