BUS drivers unhappy with the new Metro service at First York are trying to leave the company, the Evening Press has learned.

A union chief has claimed that, in the last week, four drivers have quit and 25 others may apply to join rivals Arriva.

Brian Anderson, regional industrial organiser at the York branch of the Transport and General Workers Union, said the union was well aware of dissatisfaction at the Exhibition Square company and was backing the drivers.

The Metro service, which cost £11.9 million to introduce, is designed to improve public transport in York, with buses along the main city corridors every ten minutes.

Many passengers have poured scorn on the service, some branding it "a shambles".

Now it seems drivers are also far from happy, with one claiming morale at First York is at an "all-time low".

But Paul Bell, operations manager at First York, dismissed talk of driver dissatisfaction as "canteen gossip".

Mr Anderson said: "For too long bus drivers at First York have been underpaid.

"We know that four people have left and there were two resignations during last week. A further 25 have applied to Arriva to drive trains.

"What they get for driving buses is abysmal. If they're going to try and drive trains then good luck to them. We are backing the drivers."

The driver, who did not want to give his name, told the Evening Press: "I have never seen so many dejected faces. Drivers are definitely not satisfied.

"We can't meet the new times we are being given to run, and we are getting a lot of grief from the public.

"Around 25 lads went to Arriva for application forms last week. The drivers have had enough. We all feel very strongly about it. Morale is at an all-time low."

But at First York, Mr Bell said: "This is absolute nonsense. It's canteen gossip.

"We employ 235 drivers and there will be two or three who sit and moan. But then that becomes the voice of the entire company.

"The new service is working well. It has meant a change for all of us and that's what some are finding difficult to come to terms with."

Updated: 10:15 Tuesday, September 25, 2001