I THANK Mr Bancroft of Oxenhope – Bus 'not the answer' (Keighley News, March 30) – for his support of my views on too many vehicles on our streets, but I have to say he somewhat misses the point of school buses.

A single-deck school bus carries approximately 40 students; a double-deck up to 70 students. If the school buses were not provided, how many more parental cars would there be on our overcrowded roads ferrying students to their respective schools? As Mr David Sturdy says: “You do the maths."

The problem is not only too many vehicles, but too high a level of NOx emissions from each vehicle.

I am sure Mr Bancroft is aware each new development of bus engine has lower emissions than before and the new Yorkshire-built Optare Solo and Versa buses, now in use by the Keighley Bus Company, are amongst the cleanest vehicles in the town.

In fact, the bus industry is leading the way in tackling exhaust pollution with hybrid buses, bio gas-powered buses and electric battery cell buses, all successfully in service in the UK.

Transdev already operates all-electric buses with zero emissions in York and Harrogate, with more on order for 2018.

Britain has a serious problem of polluted air in urban areas because of particulates from the exhausts of vehicles, especially when they are moving slowly or standing.

The writing is already on the wall for the diesel engine and it is the bus industry that is leading a quiet revolution in lowering vehicle emissions to zero. When will car owners follow suit?

GRAHAM MITCHELL

Dockroyd Lane

Oakworth