I READ with great interest Angela Rippon’s letter (March 4th) regarding ways in which we can all help people with dementia feel more safe and secure on public transport, which is often a literal lifeline for them.

I also heard the Prime Minister speaking to the Commons about the Coronavirus and saying that workers who have contracted the virus would now be entitled to sick pay from the first day of self-isolation rather than the fourth. He said, quite rightly, that “No-one should be penalised for doing the right thing”.

“Doing the right thing” to help mitigate the immeasurably greater threat of the Climate Emergency should be seen in the same way.

When considering the many ways in which we can all do “the right thing” in response to the Climate Emergency, for example using public transport rather than driving our cars, he needs to be applying the same sentiment.

In the case of transport, the Government must take urgent steps to ensure that public transport is not only a totally viable, “joined up” alternative to driving our cars, but is also offered at an affordable price for all.

There are many people who actively make the choice to use public transport, others who have no choice because they do not have their own transport. These passengers are often subjected to high fares and inadequate services.

It is vital that these people, doing the “right thing” about the Climate Emergency, are also not penalised.

Jacki Lambert

Gypsy Lane

Weymouth