I NOTE that Glasgow is considering the use of electric buses, (Evening Times February 27). I’d urge those planning this move to review the ways that many US cities have delivered fewer buses moving the same number of people by making bus travel free through the central area.

This dramatically reduces the time cost of collecting fares and scanning passes, so that 50 people can board a bus in well under 30 seconds.

The bus operators carry the costs of this free operation, because they do not need to put extra buses on the streets and incurring the peak hour added costs for extra buses.

A Glasgow scheme should seriously look at funding in part from the savings made by operators not having to pour extra buses in to the city (and clog up the streets) at peak times.

Manchester already has electric buses operating three core circular routes - and these are free to board.

Perhaps the best way to deliver it is to have just two or three cross city routes with minimal use of city stops for other services.

Some routes could be split and loop back from points where they ‘touch’ the city core leaving the electric buses to deliver a more evenly space and higher frequency service to key destinations.

Dave Holladay, Glasgow

Boycott bins

READING about the theft of clothes from charity collecting bins (Evening Times February 28), I think it’s quite simple - don’t use the clothing bins.

Instead, contact your local charity shop and ask them to to pick it up, or even drop the stuff off at charity shops.

Either way charities are grateful for any and all donations they get.

Stop using clothing donation bins, that way these problems will stop.

We’ve got a bin at the end of our street and hardly gets used due to the thieving problems and burst bags all over the street.

Don’t use these bins, use the charity shops, they’re in every town and city across Scotland.

Brian Rodger, posted online

Cops on streets

IN relation to the clothing thefts, Police Scotland are a Mickey Mouse force now.

They don’t bother turning up of you report anything, don’t log many crimes as crimes, there are supposed to be more officers than ever before but you now see less than ever.

They need to get back to having beat cops out patrolling, talking to people, getting to know the areas where crime and disturbances occur and by doing this gain the trust and respect of the community.

I’ve reported ongoing disturbances last summer and never had any response.

I wrote to the local chief inspector but 7 months later I’ve had no response.

Fraser Weir, posted online

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