YOUR reporter Joanne Rowe obviously lives in the cosseted world of the privately mobile, otherwise she could not have written an article (December 27, page 2) about the lack of customers at the Boxing Day sales without mentioning the role played by the complete absence of public transport on that day.

This deprivation was not shared by people in London, West Yorkshire and numerous other places, yet residents in Greater Manchester are expected to accept this shabby treatment without complaining.

This means that the vast number of non-car households, who cannot afford taxis, particularly at the premium rates charged over the holidays, are not only denied the best - and quickly sold - sale bargains, but are unable to visit friends and relatives, even those in hospital.

It is not difficult to imagine the howls of protest which would arise from car owners if they were forbidden to use their vehicles for three whole days and two additional evenings over the Christmas and New Year holidays.

Yet the rest of us are immobilised, while the transport authorities adopt a like-it-or-lump-it attitude.

The whole situation is a disgrace, and the Passenger Transport Authority will not do anything about it until people - mysteriously acquiescent until now - begin to protest.

Allan Horsfall, Bolton