CUDGELS need taking up on behalf of intimidated pensioners and good taxi drivers concerning, in general, surly drivers and, in particular, their ungracious colleagues who are often reluctant to take travel tokens.

There must be a reason for such reluctance. Surely the mid-life crisis cannot be blamed in every case. This needs to be sorted out, perhaps at Government level.

Having heard so many unfavourable stories from older people on this subject, and because I crumple into a tear-sodden heap when confronted by moody bullies, I dare not use my tokens.

There must be many pensioners, even those who drive, needing taxis sometimes and for whom travel tokens should be useful. I have every sympathy with the difficulties of taxi drivers in York and realise most of them are not registered nurses or with a vocation for the priesthood.

I must add that on two occasions exceptional, young drivers have kindly risen from their car seats to help me.

At a time when kerbs are as challenging as the north face of the Eiger and the smallest stones and inclines seem like the boulders and craters of Mars, a calm, uncomplaining driver who will offer a steadying hand is so valuable.

Margaret Lawson,

Aldborough House,

The Groves, York.

Updated: 10:20 Thursday, October 23, 2003