5 August 2007

Dear Sir

So "confusion among customers and drivers" has led to the withdrawal of support for Travel Adda and Switcha tickets, according to First Group (Star July 31). In the real world this action is a direct result of the price war with Stagecoach which threatens the First bus monopoly. That clearly takes priority over customer inconvenience and sheer frustration.

What could a regulated public transport system deliver ? Integrated train, tram and bus services as a real alternative to car use. Instead, bus companies play games with our bus services and our daily lives. We have been told again that the Quality Bus Contracts needed to rein them in are years away. Our council and MP's fail to get heard by their own government which has ears only for the lobbyists of the big corporations.

Sheffield is flooded with traffic. It's a crisis that we are living with every day and public transport is a clear part of the solution. When is the talk going to lead to action ?

Yours Sincerely

Eamonn Ward
Sheffield Green Party