According to the bus fare adjustment formula, the bus firms say that they have taken into account the magnitude of changes in median household incomes, public acceptability and affordability, and the companies' financial performance.

In my opinion, these companies are neglecting the fact that the prices of so many commodities that people need have increased sharply.

Given this rise in the cost of living, many people are saying they are unwilling to pay increased bus fares.

They argue that this extra cost will make it difficult for them to make ends meet.

It surprises me when some Hong Kong companies are making a profit and yet still want to charge more for their services.

In doing this, such businesses are ignoring the needs of Hongkongers.

If the Executive Council approves the fare increase, then at least the government should be willing to provide subsidies to those in need.

Cindy Chan, Yau Ma Tei

I strongly object to the proposal by bus companies to increase fares.

With the increase in inflation, Hongkongers are trying to cut back because of the cost of living.

However, the bus firms do not appear to care about the effect inflation is having on people's lives.

Their move means that citizens will have to spend more on public transport.

I am sure the public is not convinced by the companies' fare adjustment formula.

It is clear when you see how many passengers use buses every day that the companies do not need to increase fares.

In many western countries, the elderly can travel on public buses everywhere free.

Our bus firms could use some of the money they make from the fare increases to let the elderly in Hong Kong travel for free.

I think if they did this, people would not be so angry about the fare rise.

I urge the Executive Council, which must approve the fare increases, to listen to the views of ordinary people and keep fares at the present rate.

Chow Cheuk-ting, Tsuen Wan

I understand that the bus companies are facing many problems such as rising fuel costs and some firms are concerned about their financial performance.

However, members of the public are also faced with prices going up which means their salaries are effectively reduced.

If the bus companies must increase their fares, then it should be by the smallest possible rate that has the minimum impact on people's lives.

Also, people on low incomes and the elderly should not have to pay the increased fare because even a small rise can adversely affect their lives.

I urge companies to ensure that fares are still affordable for all their passengers.

Fion Chan Hei-man, Tsuen Wan

Do laws covering dumping need revision?

Hong Kong's main landfills are filling up. It concerns me that so much waste is being dumped in these landfills every day.

I do not think enough Hongkongers think about the consequences of their selfish behaviour ('Dumping complaints in vain', May 14).

It is clear that there are some individuals who do not care about the law or the environment. For that reason, I think the laws covering dumping need to be revised because at present many people seem to have little regard for them. They just discard rubbish. Even on our streets, you can see people tossing rubbish onto the pavement because they cannot be bothered to go to the nearest bin.

The laws must be revised in such a way that more people are deterred from dumping rubbish. We must teach citizens to become more environmentally conscious.

We are all responsible for trying to protect our planet.

Anna Yeung Yee-man, Sham Tseng

What do you think of the food labelling law?

Food labelling may not be very important for me, but it is really important for people who have allergies or some serious illness. For some people, eating something to which they are allergic can prove fatal.

Under the proposed food labelling law, they will be able to find out if a product could cause an adverse reaction.

Therefore, with the new law they will face fewer risks.

Also, in general, I believe that people think more now about their health. They do not choose the cheapest item, but opt for one that is more expensive but has a higher nutritional value.

I, therefore, strongly support the new law.

Truda Tsoi Chun-wai, Sheung Shui

On other matters ...

Would it be at all possible for wardens to be posted at the Central ferry piers to ensure that drivers of trucks and other vehicles that regularly park there turn their engines off?

Those of us who arrive in and depart from Central have to run the gamut of parked vehicles spewing fumes because drivers sit in them napping, having their lunch or chatting into cellphones while enjoying their vehicles' air conditioning.

Is this too much to ask from the authorities who claim to be tackling the ever-present pollution we have to put up with?

Beatriz Taylor, Cheung Chau

My family and I enjoy Tribe on ATV World on Saturday evenings.

In the programme, explorer Bruce Parry goes to live with various different tribes in remote areas in locations such as Papua New Guinea, Africa, the Amazon and Siberia and we find it very interesting.

However, can ATV explain why it puts the Chinese subtitles over the English subtitles whenever a tribe member speaks?

Do programmers really think that those of us who cannot read Chinese understand all the different dialects, or do they just not care? After all, it is ATV's English-language channel.

Unfortunately we miss most of the dialogue, which spoils our enjoyment of the programme.

Mary Potter, Tsim Sha Tsui