ELECTRONIC timetables which count down the arrival of bus services will soon be seen on the streets of York after the city won more than £500,000 from the Government.

City of York Council has scooped a £539,000 slice of a £20 million government fund aimed at speeding up the provision of "real-time" information on bus services. The Government opened a bidding competition after announcing that the cash would be available as part of the Local Transport Plan Settlement.

The extra funding has been made available to ensure that better bus service information is more widely available across England.

Similar schemes which count down the minutes to bus arrivals, in areas like London, have been a huge success.

Today, York council chiefs said they were delighted to have been one of the 19 schemes to win funding.

Announcing the winners, Transport Minister David Jamieson said: "This will make it possible for thousands of passengers to see when their next bus is due.

"These systems will also make it easier for bus operators to better manage their fleets, thereby reducing delays."

Peter Edwards, First's commercial manager, said: "I am delighted at this news. Anything that improves the standard of information that we are able to give to our customers has got to be a good thing. We will be looking to see what the plans are in detail."

Officials at the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (DTLR) said they expected projects to be in place by December 2003.

Coun Dave Merrett, the council's executive member for planning and transport, said: "The council is committed to using the latest technology to get buses through traffic.

"This money will be used on technology to ensure that buses can quickly get through traffic signals - improving their timetabling reliability and ensuring that they can become a quick, reliable and competitive alternative to people using the private motor car to get about the city."

Updated: 16:24 Thursday, March 28, 2002