A RECENT article focused on GMPTE's extended funding for the late-night Manchester bus services and, in particular, the 135 Bury to Manchester service.

In fact, the late-night 135 service attracts no support whatsoever and is an entirely commercial operation, as it has been since January this year.

In January the 135 was the first of the pilot services to be converted to commercial operation when, with ten months of the GMPTA subsidy still available, First informed GMPTA that the finance was no longer required.

The service has been, and continues to be, a great success attracting high passenger numbers.

RUSSELL GARD,

divisional commercial

director (north west).