ANY journalist worthy of the name (even a tabloid one) should be expected to do some basic research in support of their position.

On Monday, November 17, the Phillpott File included some highly inaccurate comments about the park-and-ride service but the one that annoyed me most was his assertion that "no one uses it".

It took me a matter of minutes to contact the various agencies responsible for the service and establish some facts.

In a typical week, about 2,500 tickets are sold. This represents 2,500 vehicles but the average occupancy is just over two people per car. So already, we can say that about 5,000 people a week use the park-and-ride. However, in the build-up to Christmas this number nearly doubles (4,800 in November 2002) and the average car occupancy increases so we can say that in excess of 10,000 people per week support the scheme.

Has Phillpott ever used the service? If not, then I challenge him to give it a try and maybe do a bit of serious journalism by talking to those on the bus with him. But maybe it's easier to sit at home and spout rubbish.

SUE JOHNS,

Ombersley, Worcestershire.