I WOULD just like to thank the striking First bus drivers for giving me and the rest of York a marvellous idea. Following on from the success of our first bus free day, I suggest that bus services in York are cut down to a minimum, or run every other day from now on.

On Wednesday, I encountered no traffic jams or queues for the first time I can remember in York, and with no buses running I guess that air pollution levels were well down below the average.

This works for everyone as First York would then be able to make all bus drivers who went on strike redundant, replacing them with part-time staff who could cope with the reduced hours.

PJ Seymour,

Pembroke Street, York.

...WITH regards to the bus strike, residents of Holly Bank will not notice any difference.

Once again today, one of our hourly buses failed to turn up. By the time you have eventually caught one, appointments in town have been missed and one's careful planning for the day has gone up the spout.

Why don't First change the number 6 service from ten minute intervals to 20 and give us a more frequent and longer service that does not mean a 6pm curfew?

Our recently elected Liberal councillors are, also like buses, rarely seen. They seem to ignore issues such as this.

AP Cox,

Heath Close,

Updated: 10:50 Wednesday, September 03, 2003