CRITICS of York's new ftr "superbus" have been slammed by the city's transport boss - who claimed many of them have "never even tried the vehicle".

Coun Ann Reid blasted those who have complained about the multi-million pound investment in York's public transport network.

She was commenting as the controversy surrounding the launch of the vehicle, which has seen the letters pages of The Press inundated with complaints, continued.

York is the first place in the country to use the StreetCar, which has a very different interior to look-a-like bendy-buses, and uses a barcode ticket scanning machine.

Should it be a success, it is likely the ftr - text message format for future - will be rolled out across the country, with Leeds and Coventry next in the frame.

In a speech to City of York Council's ruling executive, which pushed through traffic regulation orders to help the ftr manoeuvre along its route on the number 4 University of York to Acomb service, council leader Steve Galloway said that "as might be anticipated", there had been some teething problems as the ftr was launched.

Coun Reid said: "Some of the complaints - the majority seem to have come from those who don't live on the route or certainly don't even catch the bus.

"We should be encouraging First and we do need to be showing the Government that there is an alternative to the congestion charge."

Coun Galloway said: "You can't be first in anything without there being an element of risk.

"We went into this with our eyes open. There has been a lot of misinformation about ftr.

"It is the same width as other buses and I am not surprised there have been some teething problems.

"I do believe it will settle down and I believe there's a very good chance it will be the public transport choice of the future."

Coun Galloway concluded the ftr deserved public support.

Peter Edwards, First commercial director, said: "It has taken time for people to get familiar with what it is we are trying to do.

"There are one or two aspects of the operation that we didn't envisage prior to the launch and we have taken them on board and are addressing them.

"We have been very encouraged by the way in which the service has been operating this week."

Updated: 09:54 Wednesday, May 17, 2006