IT’S ALL very well to talk tough on how to save petrol by driving the car more carefully.

In times of national difficulties and high fuel prices, abandonment of cars is much more appropriate.

Recent talk of nationwide reductions of public transport is crass stupidity. It is the expansion of bus and train services that is required and at affordable prices.

If the nation got around on an efficient and regular transport network, then the total imports of fossil fuels would be reduced, thus saving foreign exchange and reliance on Arab states.

The motor manufacturing industry would suffer, but by transferring production to buses, the jobs could be preserved. It is time to use the bus, not the car.

CHRIS HARDING, Overbury Road, Parkstone