George Hilton claims council subsidies have never been higher to keep unviable bus routes going in the city (Letters, May 10).

He couldn't be more wrong. Public funding for such routes has never been lower. It represents just two per cent of all the routes we operate and that comes after a process of competitive tendering.

Chris Nurse suggests halving the number of bus journeys during the day (Letters, May 10).

It's the improving frequency of many services which has led to the success of more and more people opting to travel by bus.

He refers to buses belching out black smoke which I do not accept. The majority of our modern fleet is fitted with particulate traps on the exhaust and all our buses run on biodiesel, making them among the most environmentally friendly vehicles in the city.

Correspondents writing both in favour and against the city centre re-routing of the No 7 demonstrate it is not easy trying to please everyone but since Tuesday of this week we have reinstated the No 37 to run via Buckingham Road to benefit those who no longer have the No 7.

Barry Kingston (Letters, May 5) not only has the Compass Travel 40X linking Eastern Road with London Road but there's our own 25C linking Eastern Road with Queen's Park, Elm Grove and Lewes Road.

  • Roger French, managing director, Brighton and Hove Bus Company