THE recent article regarding Metrolink fares infuriated me beyond measure.

As a regular daily user I am utterly dismayed at the ever-upward spiral of fares and viewed the statement by Metrolink - " a major review of the fare structure aimed at encouraging regular users . . ." as being worthy of Monty Python at its best. Do Metrolink see the raising of fares for regular commuters as "encouraging" them? They must live in Cloud Cuckoo Land.

If Martin Grant, Metrolink's managing director, is so sure that travellers will appreciate the "popularity" and "flexibility" of the new structure, then surely the extra revenue created by such inspired ideas could subsidise the now over-priced daily and weekly fares.

For the hard-pressed consumers who do not enjoy the wonders of yearly wage or salary increases, the February to April "hike up the prices at any cost" silly season brings my blood to the boil. Firstly, North West Water again hiked up water charges as high as allowed, then Bury Council - who are always good for some eye-popping increases - really excelled themselves this year. And now Metrolink. How can we stop this unwarranted silly nonsense every year?

T. J. BAYNES

Belmont Drive, Bury.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.