Fare’s fair

Sir, – Further to the letter (October 15th) informing us of the already existing trend of reduced public transport fares across the UK for 16- to 23-year-olds, it seems a reminder is required in relation to the free transport available on Dublin buses for schoolgoers like myself in the 1960s. All one needed was a discarded ticket that didn't have a star-shaped hole in it – the bus floor was covered in them – to present to the conductor when he came round. Invariably the ink was so thin on the tickets that it was impossible to read any markings that he might use against you. He knew it and you knew that he knew it. And so by mutual agreement, the issue – in the majority of cases – was closed at that. – Yours, etc,

HUGH McDONNELL,

Termonfeckin,

Co Louth.