MORE than £1 million spent on roadworks, more again on two shiny new buses and a wonderful new payment system. That is York's new Number Four bus route.

Just one snag if you are over 60 and you, like me, foolishly opted to take travel tokens this year. You can't use this bus.

I have just had the following conversation with First Travel:

"I would like to use travel tokens on the new Number Four bus."

"You can't do that sir, only coins or pre-paid tickets are accepted."

"I would like to buy pre-paid tickets using my bus tokens."

"You can't do that, sir, the outlets cannot accept travel tokens. You should have opted for a travel pass."

"I didn't want a travel pass, I wanted tokens."

"Sorry, but you cannot use tokens on the new bus."

"So what do I do? This is my bus route."

"You can take the tokens back and get a pass."

"I don't want a pass, I want tokens."

"I will talk to someone. Well, you could bring the tokens into James Street and buy tickets."

Need I say more?

Douglas Mumford,

The Mount,

York.

Updated: 09:49 Thursday, April 27, 2006