What a bleak picture David Loughrey painted of life on the streets of Dunedin in last Saturday's Otago Daily Times.
But what is even sadder is his failure to see the obvious solution.
Join us David, the regular users of city buses, for we are free from the anger and frustration of motoring or cycling on our streets.
We are a happy band whose physical fitness is much improved by our regular stroll to and from our local bus shelter.
Sure, occasionally we do need an umbrella, but we care not as we breathe in God's good air instead of the stinking diesel fumes and carbon monoxide clouds drivers and cyclists inhale as they drum their fingers on the wheel or handle bars waiting for a green light.
We greet one another at the bus stop with smiles, perhaps a comment on the weather or a minor tut-tut if our bus is a minute or two late.
As we board our vehicle, we exchange cheerful greetings with our patient and helpful driver.
Unlike your selfish drivers and cyclists David, once aboard we keep to an unwritten code that each of us is entitled to privacy as we travel to the CBD.
Just because you have chatted with a waiting passenger, that does not give you the right to sit beside them unless invited.
They may be enjoying a time of nostalgia as our bus passes the sad sight of the emasculated ''House of Pain'' or appreciating the al fresco art in Wilkie Rd.
Such reveries are their business and not to be interrupted by intrusion.
We are a jolly bunch. Pensioners, mothers and tiny tots, the disabled, students, brash teenagers and I suspect the occasional crestfallen and secretive DIC passenger who has no option but to join us.
As we proceed on our journey we get the added bonus of enjoying the panorama of our lovely city.
On alighting, we thank our driver (except for the occasional iPod-addicted teenager).
Do we get angry, David, as you allege drivers and cyclists do? Not at all.
I do admit we may get a little tetchy when someone at an earlier stop has commandeered the front-left seat, where the side window and windscreen offer the best view.
And I must admit to the occasional silent expletive if I am one second late or more for the 3pm return journey and the machine will not accept my Gold Card, but that is usually due to my tardiness not our friendly driver.
So David, I invite you and all motorists and cyclists to join our happy band.
No more high blood pressure as you fruitlessly hunt for a park.
No more coping with chains coming off, no further need to spoil breakfast and your digestion by reading newspaper stories about cycleways, parking and the stadium.
Such peace and harmony on the home front may well bring even greater rewards!
No, David, don't ever suggest that visitors must flee north to escape Dunedinites' road rage, since the answer is right there under their noses.
And one final thought, David, for all Dunedin motorists, cyclists and we happy bus users.
Let's unite in justifiable anger towards those who seek to downgrade our hospital and the pundits in Wellington who, in their blind belief in so-called economies of scale, continue to centralise services in Christchurch and Auckland.
Now there's something we can all get angry about, David.
