Perish the thought
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IF PRESS REPORTS are accurate, Mr Nicholas Ridley's understanding of public transport gives great cause for alarm.
He quotes corner shops — to be more precise — sweet shops — as an example of how unremitting competition sharpens the wits and benefits the customer. (Commercial Motor— April 7, 1984).
My first thought was that sweets can be bought in advance and consumed whenever needed. Not so public transport. This highly perishable commodity must be on hand just when and where the customer needs it, with no chance of pre-purchase and storage. Hence our crosssubsidised networks, which seem to mean so little to the Secretary of State.
My second thought — where could I find a sweet shop open all hours in Plymouth? That isn't easy, because most complain that they've been ousted by supermarkets, which open 9am5.30pm.
P. J. SEPH TON Transport Manager Plymouth Citybus