Vanessa Buchanan suggests we deserve the booby prize for our quality of service (Opinion, October 12). Despite the tireless efforts of all our staff, the last few months have been difficult as we have struggled with a shortage of drivers, some appalling traffic conditions and the usual irresponsible parking.

Pay rates have been increased by ten per cent this year to help overcome staff shortages and earlier this month we restored some of the services reduced in frequency during the summer. We recognise more needs to be done and aim to continue the improvements.

We have also consistently supported Brighton and Hove Council's plans for taking over parking enforcement by next summer which is essential to make bus services more reliable.

In the meantime, I apologise to passengers when services have not operated as we would have liked and offer my assurances we are working hard to achieve Premier League status once again.

-Roger French,Managing Director Brighton and Hove Bus and Coach Company