As a regular Metrolink user, I sympathise with Harry Dutton (Trouble-plagued trams are not a public service, Guide, June 17) who rightly deplores the deterioration in the service.

I feel particularly sorry for the poor souls at stations ranging from Besses down to Woodlands Road who have been left standing on the platform because it has been physically impossible to get on the tightly-packed tram.

I also join Mr Dutton in deploring the apparent unwillingness of the private operators of Metrolink and connecting bus services to introduce through ticketing. Also the temperamental Metrolink ticket machines, the escalator at Bury Interchange which appears to be out of service more than in service, dingy dilapidated stations with rusty cable trays and fittings, leaky roofs etc.

I could go on at great length about what seems to me to be a service which is obviously second rate compared with services in London or in other major European cities.

Remedying that is a longer term task. However, there is a reasonable prospect that we will be able to make a start with the refurbishment of the Bury-Altrincham line and the advance purchase of additional vehicles to relieve the gross overcrowding at peak periods by coupling two vehicles together. (At present there are insufficient vehicles to provide for this on a regular basis.)

The ability to get on with this depends on the negotiations between Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority and the Government.

Accordingly I have submitted a question about the progress of the negotiations to Bury's representatives on Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority for answer at the Bury Council meeting to be held on June 29.

Derek Boden