SIR - Mrs Ratnik (T&A, January 7) writes bringing to our attention the high price of a bus ticket.

She is obviously unaware that fuel prices have risen over the last two years to record highs and these rises must be paid for by someone.

In years gone by, when buses were blue and displayed the Bradford coat of arms on the side, they were owned and run by the Council's public transport authority.

Nowadays the buses are owned, run and fuelled by private companies who wish to make a profit! When their costs go up they will pass these increases onto fare paying passengers.

As for paying twice, ie, rates and bus fare, does she think the bus fare she pays covers the costs and overheads of her journey?

The reason bus fares are expensive is that a bus is a very expensive vehicle to run and maintain and someone has got to pay for it.

John A Hargreaves, Cooper Lane, Bradford