Letters

`We're condemned to house arrest'
21/12/2005
FRANK Manc has it 100 per cent right when he talks about the
useless public transport system we have in Britain over the
so-called festive season (Metro News, December 16).
What a joke it was to see the Transport Minister Alistair Darling
urging people not to drink and drive and use buses, trains, metro
and taxis. Apart from taxis - double or treble the usual rate and
few and far between - unless you have your own transport you are
basically under house arrest if your family and relatives live
outside your area.
My mother lives on her own near Bury, I can't drive and she is in
her 70s, so how does that overpaid fool Darling suggest I travel to
see her?
It is ok for him having a taxpayer- financed personal driver as a
GovernmentMinister; but "use public transport", I think not.
In Europe, as Frank says, progressive towns and cities lay on extra
transport, and some even provide it free to ensure no-one has even
the slightest excuse to drink and drive. Darling and his like
should also note that even non-drinkers don't all own cars, so
they, too, are marooned for days, many on their own, until normal
service is resumed.
Pathetic. Public transport, don't make me laugh. Those millionaires
who own and run the buses and trains should be ashamed of
themselves. It isn't really a festive time of year for many, many
people.
| Company | Typical APR |
| Platinum Exclusive Loan | 7.8% |
| AA | 7.9% |
| Sainsbury's Personal Loan | 8.2% |
| Alliance & Leicester | 8.7% |
| Lloyds TSB | 8.9% |
| Abbey Personal Loan | 8.9% |
| Provider | AER* |
|
ICICI BANK HiSAVE Savings Account |
4.50% |
|
FIRST DIRECT Everyday e-Saver |
1.75% |
|
SAINSBURYS FINANCE Internet Saver |
2.25% |

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