Today’s letters to The Courier.
Sir, – Once more the public are having to fork out on increased rail ticket prices, now the most costly in Europe and in return do we get any benefits?
My family’s experience over the festive period was a total disaster. My son had reserved seats on the 11:44 Kirkcaldy to Kings Cross on December 27. The train arrived one hour late with all carriages packed to capacity and many others attemptingto join at Kirkcaldy.
Imposssible to even board the coach where reserved seats were allocated and indeed these seats were occupied. Crushed like sardines, they stood all the way to Edinburgh. There again hordes were waiting to board and now at least able to reach their carriage and reserved seats found they were still occupied, which resulted in a ‘debate’.
At no point was any help given by rail staff and the passengers had to sort it out themselves. On top of this there was no trolley service and no apologies were offered for the lack of this service.
Trolley refreshment service was impossible due to corridors being packed so no food or refreshments were to be had all the way to London.
It must be noted that European travel is the exact reverse. Helpful polite staff and passengers treated respectfuly. East Coast staff obviously have much to learn. How long before the revolution takes place?
J. MacDonald.Glenrothes.
A warning to ‘remember Quebec’
Sir, Although they appear simple and decisive, referendums can be deeply deceptive as those of us who voted in 1975 to join a free trade area called the EEC found out to our cost.
A great deal hangs on how the questions are put and the ‘Yes Minister’ series made plain the ways in which loaded questions can be couched.
Alex Salmond’s fierce determination to have ‘devo-max’ included on his multiple-choice ballot paper looks like a muddying of the waters.
Michael Ignatieff, Canada’s former Liberal leader advised us to learn from the bitter Quebec referendum ”How the rules get made will determine who wins”.
(Dr) John Cameron.10 Howard Place,St Andrews.
Poppy sale success
Sir, – On behalf of the City of Dundee Poppyscotland Appeal, I thank everyone who helped us achieve the fantastic total of £54,252.20.
Sincere thanks are due to Lord Provost John Letford and Dundee City Council, who loyally support the appeal every year, and to National Express Dundee, who count the takings for us.
Equally we thank the many businesses and other organisations who kindly display our collection cans; the many collectors of all ages, from senior citizens to teenage cadets of all three services; and last but not least, we thank each and every one of our citizens who contributed so generously in these difficult times.
Everyone can rest assured that their generosity will go to help ex-servicemen and women and their dependants in Scotland.
Allan G. Donnelly.Chairman,City of Dundee AppealCommittee,Poppyscotland.
Sore point for many years
Sir, – The control of absenteeism in our councils and other public bodies is a very difficult question. It has been for many years.
So I was a bit surprised at Councillor Mark Hood’s note of surprise and horror at what absence is costing Fife Council.
Labour was never really very good at tackling the problem. Even when absence levels were running at an average of 13 days per employee per year, a resounding note of complacency was all that was heard.
Why? Well, partly because it did not wish to appear unsympathetic to those who were genuinely ill. But also because it was difficult to get agreement with the local authority unions on the quite strict measures needed to get to grips with the problem.
We have heard a lot in the last months about the difference between private sector and public sector pensions. The debate might well be extended to the gulf between absence levels in the two sectors.
What do people who work in the private sector think when they read about the cost of people being off work in councils?
There is a need for Fife and other authorities to be much more open about what they are doing about it.
But Councillor Hood needs to be honest too and admit that this was a problem Labour grappled with for years and demonstrably failed!
Bob Taylor.24 Shiel Court,Glenrothes.
Not a university development
Sir, – With reference to the headline ‘University’s housing plans to be unveiled’ (January 20) the proposed housing development your report refers to is nothing to do with the University of St Andrews.
We appear to be the victims of a rogue apostrophe. The planning application to construct new student accommodation in St Andrews is from Alumno Developments, an entirely private company, not connected to the university.
Niall Scott.Director of CommunicationUniversity of St Andrews.
Donald Quixote
Sir, – It would appear we have a modern day Don Quixote tilting at windmills Donald Trump, again threatening to walk away from his golf resort at Menie if plans for an offshore windfarm are approved.
Will the First Minister play Sancho Panza and intervene?
Robert T. Smith.Aberdeen.
Get involved: to have your say on these or any other topics, email your letter to letters@thecourier.co.uk or send to Letters Editor, The Courier, 80 Kingsway East, Dundee DD4 8SL.