TYPICAL. You wait ages for one, and then five come along at once.

Bus operator First York, now under its new name, First, unveiled the initial batch of a dozen £140,000 double-decker buses that are set to "further improve a very impressive Metro service".

The buses, set to start running on Route One next week, employ eight state-of-the-art surveillance cameras for passenger security.

All of the vehicles are also capable of lowering themselves at kerbs and can hold up to 92 people.

The buses are part of an £11m complete revamp of the fleet, with 98 new vehicles coming as part of the new Metro system.

"These buses are an important part of our new system," said new commercial manager Peter Edwards.

"A lot of hard work by my predecessors has gone into the new Metro and we are very happy indeed with the way it is working, as our passengers and drivers.

"It will be very pleasing to see these new buses hit the road and there is no greater symbol of our commitment to quality in York.

"The new Metro system is an excellent one and we are looking forward to running it with all 98 new buses in place."

He added that the extra capacity of the vehicles would make the Blue Line more efficient, and the large vehicles currently operating on these routes would be displaced to ease passenger congestion on other busy routes. The buses are proving to be a hit with the drivers too.

Traffic manager Peter McCarthy told the Evening Press: "The lads think these new buses are brilliant. They are more comfortable and smoother to drive, it all helps to make the job a little easier."

He added it was "up to the people of York" to keep the buses looking as good.

Updated: 11:22 Saturday, December 15, 2001