DOZENS of York pupils are regularly late for school because of changes to the city's bus services, education chiefs said today.

Furious All Saints RC School head teacher Dr Adrian Elliott revealed that many of his pupils were being left stranded because the buses on First York's busiest route from Haxby and Wigginton to the city centre were "jam-packed".

And other schools in the city such as Manor, in Boroughbridge Road, and Fulford have also reported pupils being late because of recent bus changes.

City of York Council education officer Terry Walker said he had e-mailed every school in the city to tell them they had raised the issue with First York, which launched its metro service two weeks ago.

Mr Walker said: "Children are being made late when it's not their fault. There has been some concern from parents that it will be a black mark held against them.

"Hopefully my e-mail to head teachers will ensure that doesn't happen.

"We're in constant contact with First York over the issue."

First York operations manager Paul Bell said the problems were being caused by a delay in receiving 12 new double-deckers, which will be used on the Wigginton-city centre route.

Dr Elliott said several of his pupils were setting off from home as early as 7am to arrive at the Nunnery Lane school on time.

He told the Evening Press: "Large numbers of our children - particularly those from Haxby, Wigginton and New Earswick - are not getting to school on time, which is a major concern.

"It's totally unacceptable. How long will First York's teething troubles last?"

Michelle Johnson said her 12-year-old daughter, All Saints pupil Laura Jackson, returned home yesterday morning after four buses passed her at a stop in New Earswick because they were full.

"It's a disgrace", she said. "Laura came home very distressed because she thought her form teacher would tell her off for being late."

Mr Bell said: "The double-deckers have unfortunately not been delivered on time by our manufacturers. We hope to get them in three weeks.

"We've tried to put on extra vehicles along the Wigginton route where we can, but it's not always possible."

* The Liberal Democrats have called for a review of First York's new services following protests by passengers.

Spokeswoman Councillor Ann Reid was raising the issue at today's shadow executive meeting.

Updated: 14:38 Tuesday, October 02, 2001