I'm writing on behalf of this city's bus drivers, who are regularly abused and poorly paid. During the last few weeks a woman bus driver was assaulted by a passenger, an older bus driver was punched in the face by a passenger who then broke the driver's glasses and a male bus driver was spat on.

This is just a small selection but raises the question of why anyone should have to put up with abuse from the people they are providing a service to?

Bus drivers are also treated badly by other drivers who will do anything not to let a bus back into the traffic, even swerving into the path of approaching cars or driving along the median strip.

What's so terrible about being courteous and letting a bus out? Are you really in that much of a hurry you cannot afford a few seconds to help? How sad if this is your attitude.

Bus drivers avoid accidents daily, largely caused by other drivers' poor driving. They are also friendly and helpful, providing a quality service to the public.

Why then, are they paid little more than minimum wage? ‘That's not my problem' I hear you say. True. So whose is it? I've contacted the council but they say it isn't their problem; they merely accept the lowest tender – it's down to management.

So I've contacted the management. The directors weren't interested enough to acknowledge my letter and the HR department felt there wasn't a problem. I'd like to see these people cope on the same wage in their cosy offices. Anyone spit on, or punch them, lately?

It's time those in charge of their wages realised the driver's worth. They wouldn't have much of a bus service without the drivers and they'd have problems on their hands if the drivers lacked the skills and qualities to avoid accidents and offer a good customer service.

It's also time passengers changed their attitudes and were at least civil to the drivers - pleasant would be nice and manners would be amazing. Remember - the bus drivers are taking you to your destination safely.

And it's time other drivers regarded buses with more courtesy and refrained from cutting them off and giving them verbal and visual abuse.

S Gifford, Omanawa.