I AM writing in support of the 'fastfare' system that is being launched in Swindon by Thamesdown Transport.

I am the chair of the Transport and General Workers Union at Reading Buses. Our company introduced a similar system in October 2002 called 'readifare', luckily without the narrow minded suspicion of Mr Peter Soady whose derogatory comments about drivers deserves the utmost contempt. (No change on buses is theft, July 20).

Bus drivers have a very demanding job, the pressure to keep to schedule amid ever increasing traffic congestion, having to deal with customer inquiries while still giving correct change, and remaining calm throughout can take its toll on the best of us.

These combined with people like Mr Soady accusing drivers of theft and ripping off senior citizens only exacerbates an already stressful job.

The people of Reading took to the vault system exceedingly well; it has many advantages, not only for our customers and drivers but other road users as well.

One principal cause of unreliability other than traffic congestion has been the difficulty of attracting and retaining sufficient drivers, removing change giving simplifies the drivers job, removes the risk of robbery and assault, reduces stress and makes the job more attractive to a wider range of people. Buses are known to spend up to 20 per cent of total journey time waiting at stops while drivers dispense change.

Not giving change leads to faster journey times and improved efficiency. Our services have been made more reliable. Public transportation needs to be forward looking if we are to reduce car usage in the future so making services more reliable is essential.

D M DOWNES

Chair, T&GWU

Reading Buses