UNDERUSED trains could be replaced by buses to save money in York and North Yorkshire.

A briefing document by the Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) has asked bidders for the Northern Rail Franchise to consider replacing trains with bus services during periods of weak demand. The Northern Rail Franchise will be created in September 2004 to run the services currently operated by Arriva Trains Northern and First North Western.

Train operators bidding for the franchise have to present an option which delivers a "significant reduction in subsidy."

Amy Spenlove, spokeswoman for the SRA, stressed that while trains could be replaced by buses at times when the service was underused by passengers, stations and routes would not be closed to save money.

She said: "We are looking, as we always do, for value for money for taxpayers."

She said they had asked bidders to look at ways to reduce the cost of running underused rural train services without removing the route. Any changes to services would not come into effect until the new rail franchise became a reality.

Frances Critchley, deputy secretary for the North Eastern England Rail Passenger Committee, said they were not worried about the move.

She said: "We have three or four lines where the operators are carrying single numbers of passengers. On those routes it makes more sense to run a replacement bus service and the money saved could be used elsewhere."

The new franchise could also see changes in train timetables to increase efficiency and an increase in passengers buying their tickets on the train to reduce "retailing costs".

Ms Critchley said: "It is difficult to know what that means. It could mean closing ticket offices in stations, but we don't know yet. But we would support any measure to assist the operator to collect its revenue."

Updated: 10:13 Tuesday, July 29, 2003