Clik here to view.
There was little the bus industry would dispute in Lianna Etkind's support for the concessionary fare scheme (Response, 16 February). Many of the 5.5 billion passengers we carry every year make a serious contribution to our local economies. But the assertion that bus operators have manipulated the market to make a profit from the scheme is pure fantasy. We provide free travel to concessionary pass holders and are reimbursed on a no better, no worse off basis. Bus companies will not increase fares and drive away the paying majority of their passengers simply to claim more for free riders. In any case, most authorities follow the official guidance and pay a decreasing proportion in compensation if fares increase.
Hassard Stacpoole
Confederation of Passenger Transport UK
• One of my favourite clues (Letters, 15 February) also involves a name dear to or at least near to the heart of the Guardian: "Hair swept back, Mr Rusbridger's in love (9)". With "mane" backward followed by "our ed" the answer is "enamoured". Brilliance, sheer brilliance!
Rose Galt
Cumbernauld, North Lanarkshire
• David Cameron's "idea" and financial recipe for the "big society" (Comment, 15 February) is perfect. Teach grandmother to suck eggs – and then cull all the hens.
Michael Gee
Birmingham
• The date of Mubarak's resignation (Letters, 14 February) was also a palindromic prime (11.02.2011).
Gerry Cohen
London
• A fat cat in Downing Street (Rat-catcher Larry moves into No 10, 16 February)? Oh, the irony.
Fliss Elsom-Cook
Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk
• Is the fish thread really over (Letters, 3 February)? Oh well, I suppose the whiting was on the wall.
Jon Berryman
Preesall, Lancashire
• In its day, the slot-machine museum in Pocklington, near York, was peerless. I realise I should have sent this some time ago, but it took a while for the penny to drop (Letters, 10 September 2009).
Graham Chesters
Hull
