IF John Lavendar wants to ride on a “museum” bus, as he mentioned in his letter about Arriva being awarded the Durham City park-and-ride contract (HAS, April 6), he should try service 56 Durham to Bishop Auckland, or service 69 Stockton to Bishop Auckland.

They must be the most unreliable and rattling buses in the country – never mind the county – service 56 being by far the worst, as I am sure West Cornforth residents will agree.

It is the only service they have to Bishop Auckland and to add insult to injury the company takes one of the services off for a school run. Then, of course, they do not run to Bishop on an evening.

If the park-and-ride contract does go to Arriva (and it seems cut and dried) it is an extreme travesty of justice. The current Scarlet Band drivers are polite and courteous, and the buses clean and comfortable. What more can we want?

Thank you to James Edwards (HAS, also April 6), who gave the email address for the Office of Fair Trading, which is holding an investigation into bus services. I will send my comments to them. This controversy has certainly rattled my usually complacent cage.

Eva Stainsby, Ferryhill, Co Durham.

I HAVE read that Arriva has won the contract to ferry drivers and passengers to and from the Durham City’s park-and-ride points to the city centre at an extra £24,000 per year compared to the bid from a local operator.

Apparently, the bid is scored and then the winning bid is realised. This extra £24,000 is, of course, public money. I would therefore be grateful if my county councillors could assure me that the reconciliation of the tenders was done: a) by an independent officer; and b) whether the tender documents were coded (ie, the company unknown to the staff doing the reconciliation).

It would also be helpful if they could advise me – and, I suggest, make the facts open – why the cost to the public has to be inflated by this amount and what value we are likely to receive from the other bids.

I have made this an open letter to my elected county councillors, because it is a matter that should be openly shared with other contributors to the public purse.

David Thompson, Langley Moor, Durham.

LIKE Mrs N Staff (HAS, April 2) I am surprised to learn that we are about to see Scarlet Band lose its contract to operate the Durham City park-and-ride service to Arriva.

I have always had great admiration for the Scarlet Band Bus Company. The previous owners were always genuine and sincere.

One can remember winter nights when the sign of a green light shining from the top of the bus was a great relief to find it was on schedule.

I have also found that the present owner, Graeme Torrance, has always given satisfaction since he obtained the company.

I wonder how many Durham county councillors use any bus service, Scarlet Band or Arriva?

Not many. They will no doubt have the luxury of a car.

I find the whole business stinks. Arriva’s bid was £24,000 more per year than that of Scarlet Band.

James Taylor, Coxhoe, Durham.