A VILLAGE leader has attacked plans to axe a peak-time rural bus service into York.

Eric Ingledew, chair of Elvington Parish Council, said he was "disappointed" by proposals to drop the C24 Wheldrake to York service because of funding pressures.

The service runs on weekdays from Wheldrake, through Elvington, Dunnington, Murton and Osbaldwick, to the University of York, Fulford and York city centre, and sometimes Askham Bar.

The first bus leaves at 7.55am, getting commuters into the city at about 8.30am. Service 24, which follows the same route, does not leave Wheldrake until 9.17am.

Coun Ingledew said: "It is pointless getting people to work at off-peak times and younger people don't have cars to get to school, college or work. We rely on subsidised services."

The C24 and 24 services carry about 34 passengers a day, or about four per hour, although the 7.55am service is the most popular.

Their future will be considered by City of York Council's ruling executive on Tuesday, as part of a review of all subsidised Connexions bus services.

These include service C1 Askham Bar to Tadcaster, service C3 Askham Bar circular, service 21 Acaster Malbis to York Hospital and service 87 York to Tadcaster.

A report by public transport planner Terry Walker says none of the services meet "the council's normal criteria for continued financial support without action designed to improve performance" of 11 or more passengers per hour, and at least 41 per cent of the total cost met by income from fares.

The C24, along with the C1 and C3 were funded with Rural Bus Challenge cash of more than £100,000 last year, but this money is no longer available.

Council subsidies totalling almost £65,000 help fund services 21 and 24, as well as C3.

Mr Walker is recommending that service 21 is discontinued, with its funding reallocated to C1. Service C3 will be maintained at peak times and the C24/24 services replaced with a new service running from Elvington to the University of York, excluding key peak time services.

Service 87 will be continued with North Yorkshire County Council funding.

Updated: 10:31 Saturday, May 29, 2004