AFTER the much-heralded exhortations of our MPs, the press and TV to use public transport, I thought I would take Metrolink into Manchester.

Accompanied by three children, aged five, seven and nine, I set off in eager anticipation of a Yuletide treat, the Palace Theatre pantomime. We arrived at Bury station in good time for our 2.15pm appointment with "Peter Pan".

We had anticipated heavy use of the service, as it was the last Saturday before Christmas, but were amazed at the length of the queue to the ticket machine, which stretched back way out of sight. After a wait of half an hour, we caught sight of the three money converters and it was immediately apparent why the mass of disappointed travellers filed so far back: two of the dispensers were out of order!

Frustrated, but determined, we shuffled along to within striking distance as the clock moved closer to our appointed time. As I would be paying for all four tickets, the many signs that confirmed the money-guzzlers accepted £5, £10 and £20 notes, as well as change, reassured me.

But, just as it was our turn, two uniformed gentlemen interrupted the flow by emptying the cash, at which point I noticed a bar placed over the note slot. I mentioned this dilemma to the two officials, who retorted: "Tough! We only empty the cash". I politely mentioned the many signs advertising the fact that notes as well as change would be accepted and, as it was apparent that was not now the case, could they change my £10 note? "No chance", was the reply.

So, after queuing for more than 40 minutes, our venture was totally frustrated. We had no tickets so we beat a hasty retreat back to the car - three increasingly distressed children facing a traffic-congested journey into central Manchester. After paying an exorbitant fee to park, we arrived at the theatre late and missed half the show!

What actually is Metrolink's policy? Does the travelling family have to walk about with their trousers hanging round their ankles, their pockets filled with the massive amounts of change required? Or will they honour their statements and notices declaring that they do accept notes?

Is Metrolink a caring community-based company? Or is it the Scrooge of Christmas, and just another corporate profiteer?

I look forward to seeing a speedy response in these columns.

DAVID YORK

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.