Take Canadian bus example on board

FIRST Bus are to be congratulated on their proposed trial allowing bicycles on buses (News, 28 August). But the proposal is, I believe, flawed and offers little hope for expansion to the main commuting times of day when it would be most welcomed.

Mark Savelli claims that external bike racks would not be practical due to the delays this would cause in our cities. I beg to disagree. The city of Vancouver in Canada has an excellent bus service widely used at all times and all buses have an external rack for two bikes free to use at all times of the day.

The operation is simple and takes less than 30 seconds to complete (about ten to 15 seconds for an experienced user). The driver takes no part in this and the cyclist is always responsible. Fares that are very reasonable are flat fares on a zone basis with the minimum fare operating across all zones after 6.30pm plus at weekends and public holidays.

The same ticket also allows access to the ferry and suburban trains both of which also allow bicycles free of charge.

Our total approach, not just on this subject or buses, to public transport would benefit greatly from taking on board the service provided in Vancouver and adapting to our own requirements.

John Martin, Bridge of Weir