First York? Farce York!

Put simply, the new Metro system is a shambles - roadworks on the A64 notwithstanding, I waited for over an hour for a bus from Copmanthorpe into the city centre (supposedly runs every 30 minutes) and then a further 40 minutes for a bus to the university (supposedly running every 15 minutes).

Just to rub salt into an already gaping wound, it turned out that the bus driver hadn't been told about the modified route to avoid the closure of Top Lane in Copmanthorpe and had to rely on the other passengers to give him directions. If this is a service which "exceeds expectations", I really shudder to think what a failing service would be like.

Given that First York couldn't even run their 'old' services on a reliable basis, I can't help wondering what was going through the heads of their route planners when the current crop of needlessly convoluted routes was drafted. My heart goes out to some of the drivers who are just doing their job but still bear the brunt of passengers who are, quite rightly, angry.

So, I would back Dr Greaves' challenge - Messrs Asquith and Fletcher, if your service is so good use it; I suggest a couple of weeks as a passenger, followed by a couple of weeks driving the buses. That way you can find out what it's really like at the sharp end.

With the level of service, is it any wonder that more and more people are turning to private transport?

First York? Farce York, more like.

Dr Simon Ward,

Barons Crescent,

Copmanthorpe, York.

...I HAVE just read the article regarding the new Metro Services, what utter rubbish.

How can the service be running well when passengers living on the No 13 route from Monks Cross to Copmanthorpe are having to wait more than an hour for the bus even though it is supposed to be every half an hour?

Fair enough, there are roadworks near Copmanthorpe and will be for 60 weeks, but First York knew about these before they brought the Metro service into operation.

I have phoned the company on a number of occasions and got the same reply every time "it is not our fault" - who is at fault?

I was told to tell my daughter to get the bus on Huntington Road if she wanted to get to work on time.

The last No 13 from Stonebow is 17 minutes past five. Most people work until 5.30-6pm. Why should people have to either walk home when the have been at work for eight hours?

There is no number 13 service from Monks Cross to Stonebow or York Station, but a service say every 15 minutes from the station to Copmanthorpe. Many passengers from our area just want to get into the town centre for work.

Before, our service was the No 6 from Monks Cross to Station Rise, we still had problems then. On one occasion the No 6 was 20 minutes late, therefore my daughter missed the York College bus and had to get a taxi costing £6.50.

I got a refund of three single tickets worth £2.70 - very generous.

Mrs B Cowper,

Healey Grove,

Muncaster,

York.

...I WONDER if the powers that be who decided on the new bus routes ever look at a street map of the residents who live on these routes.

The red line which goes between the station and the designer outlet never did stop at the Barracks, Grange Street or Edinburgh Arms. Now we have these new services they still don't.

Not only would it have been useful to use this service to get to the station, it could also be used to link up with the Blue Line to get to Clarence Street, for the hospital, which is what the whole idea of this new service was supposed to be.

I believe there is one about every hour which will get you near the hospital, just hope it will fit in with your appointment time.

Norma White,

Maple Grove,

Fulford Road, York.

Updated: 14:05 Saturday, September 29, 2001