ENCOURAGING the public to use trains and buses is apparently the Government's answer to solving the problems of increasing road congestion and pollution. At least that is what is supposed to be happening.

One way of doing this might be to lower prices and improve the cramped conditions that are sending people back to their cars.

Overcrowding on Bolton's trains during rush hour is becoming worse, with up to 50 people standing on four out of five services.

Peak-time trains between Bolton and Manchester are running at more than 30 per cent over seating capacity, which shows that people are willing to use public transport.

However, there are now fewer seats on new trains which run on the line.

This is supposedly because there is more leg room for passengers.

Obviously, this is good but the next move must surely be to increase the number of standard class carriages on the trains.

Or maybe some of the under-used first class carriages could be converted for use by "normal" passengers.

Northern Rail says it has done all it can to meet increased demand, but the Government and rail companies can hardly expect people to continue to use the services in such cramped conditions.

The result? Yet more congestion on our roads and the Government once again complaining that people are not prepared to give up their cars.

Lower prices and comfortable journeys are the only answers.