Stephen Roberts attacks trams again (yesterday’s Oxford Mail letters) but still cites no relevant evidence.

He claims trams are notoriously bad at hill climbing. The truth, from the American Passenger Transportation Association (APTA), though, is some modern tram routes include eight per cent gradients (one in 12.5) and 10 per cent gradients (one in 10) are feasible.

He claims trams would have to “serve Queen Street and Cornmarket in both directions, as even double-articulated trams will be unable to make some of the turns in the city centre”.

The truth from APTA is some modern low-floor trams can turn corners where the track curves at a radius of 13 metres or less. Even tighter radii are feasible. Older trams can turn corners where the track curves at a radius of less than 11 metres.

He claims the national concessionary travel pass excludes trams. Actually, Stagecoach accepts national concessionary passes for free travel on Sheffield trams, Tramlink accepts London Freedom Passes for free travel on Croydon trams, and Nottingham Express Transit accepts local senior citizen passes for free travel on Nottingham trams. Only Manchester charges for senior citizens, and even that is at concessionary rates.

He claims trams in Oxford would lose money and need so much subsidy from the county council that “nearly every other bus service in Oxfordshire” would “collapse”. Actually most Oxfordshire buses succeed without subsidy, and connecting them with trams would make them succeed even more.

Oxford City Council is right. Central Oxfordshire needs an up-to-date tram feasibility study as soon as possible.

Hugh Jaeger, Chairman, Bus Users UK Oxford Branch