First will no doubt have had mixed feelings about their decision to quit the Green Line route 702 (routeone/News/22 November).
By comparison, the Reading Buses decision to step into the breach appears to be full of optimism.
With Reading's drivers' wages reportedly being 9-23% higher than First, Martijn Gilbert and his team will have their work cut out to deliver the return they are expecting from this new business venture.
We wish them well, and a sizeable helping of good fortune – they are going to need it.
Tim Gibson, Leeds
