I was relieved to see notices appear on buses recently stating that plain-clothed or uniformed officers may be travelling on the bus to assure passengers of a safe journey to and from home.

There is however no notice posted warning passengers of the danger of coming face to face with another potential hazard, The over-zealous ticket inspector.

I witnessed an inspector bullying and intimidating an elderly passenger because her half-price bus pass had expired.

Although this lady, clearly over the age of 60, was trying to explain that it was a mistake, the inspector was only interested in adhering to his rulebook.

I couldn't understand the problem myself seeing as these passes are issued free to all people of pensionable age and the fact this lady clearly qualified.

The inspector confiscated her pass and demanded she pay the extra £1.30 to enable her to continue her journey home.

In fact, when I tried to intervene, I was told to shut up and let him do his job.

I was left wondering how this inspector would feel if faced with a bunch of youngsters causing trouble on a bus and feel assured he would have felt as intimidated as he made this poor lady feel.

Unfortunately, I had to get off the bus before this

lady passenger reached her stop.

My advice to her was to keep her money in her purse, as he wasn't going to chuck her off the bus.

This situation could easily have been avoided if only he had showed a little compassion and understanding.

-Julie Archer, Hollingdean Terrace, Brighton