Fares fair

• READERS should not be swayed by Jennette Arnold’s claims on fares (Why is Mayor Boris punishing bus users?
January 8). 
It is fantasy finance to pretend you can improve London’s infrastructure without rises in some fares. However, even after the changes, average bus fares in 2010 will be around 10 per cent lower than in 2000. Readers should also remember that it was Gordon Brown who foisted the disastrous PPP system of Tube finance on London, which has led to a huge financial hole to be filled. Ms Arnold’s answer of a £25 congestion charge would have hit average families and was an idea roundly rejected by Londoners who kicked out her comrade Ken Livingstone.
Contrary to Ms Arnold’s claims that the mayor is penalising Londoners who rely on public transport, she is choosing not to mention that London’s elderly, young people and those on low incomes continue to travel for free or at a substantially reduced rate, this is 40 per cent of passengers.
KULVEER RANGER
Mayor of London’s 
Transport Adviser