FIRST York is to increase the number of "conductors" on its beleaguered ftr bus service.

The company also plans to introduce m-ticketing, where passengers will be able to buy tickets in advance using their mobile phone.

It is investigating London-style smart card technology and the possibility of putting ticket machines at busy stops.

Already, new handrails have been fitted in the ftrs' entrance areas, signage and information displays have been improved, and the time the ticket machines take to issue tickets has been reduced.

The plans were discussed at a regular review meeting between First and City of York Council to discuss the continued development of bus services in the city.

Nicola Shaw, managing director of the company's bus division, who met with council boss Steve Galloway, described the meeting as a "very positive, frank and open discussion".

She revealed that an independent survey - which will be published in the next fortnight - showed a high percentage of users were satisfied or very satisfied with the new service.

But since the hi-tech vehicle's launch last May, The Press has been inundated with letters from readers complaining about the new service.

Complaints include problems with the ticketing system, which has broken down repeatedly, ftrs not running to schedule, two arriving at stops together, and cyclists being involved in accidents with the big purple vehicles. On its first day, two of the 12-strong fleet were taken out of service due to technical difficulties.

Coun Galloway said: "Public transport plays a major part in the daily lives of a significant number of the people who live, work and play in the city.

"We are pleased that First chose us to help deliver the innovative ftr concept and we are working together to ensure that any concerns from the people of York are being addressed.

"This meeting has given us the opportunity to talk through the issues and agree some exciting developments for the future.

"I am personally very keen to see more flexible ticketing options adopted, including smartcard type payment, which will reduce both boarding times and issues relating to giving change.

"The extension of the use of hosts on the ftr is also welcome and is very much in line with what people have been asking for in the city."

He said the council and First were committed to using the latest technology to make it easier for customers to pay fares.

He said the customer experience would be improved by speeding up journey times and reducing the time that buses and ftrs spend at stops.

Ms Shaw said more customer service hosts would be placed onboard ftrs to speed up the ticket selling process and generally improve the service.