BUS wars between companies fighting for the lucrative student market in York have ramped up as one firm has complained about not being allowed on campus.

Transdev used to have the University of York's contract to run "Unibus" services to and from the Heslington campuses, but lost out earlier this year to rivals First.

The company soon announced their routes were "here to stay", and launched a commercial Unibus service to compete with First's new UoY66 and UoY 56 routes.

But with Freshers' Week looming, when thousands of new students arrive in York for the first time, Transdev are complaining that they have been cut out of events like the Freshers' Fair. The university says they are being treated just the same as First was when Transdev still held the contract.

Transdev’s Business Support manager Ben Mansfield said: "We simply want to carry on running our Unibus product as effectively as we can, especially given it was voted top in this year's university staff and students survey and us doubling the demand for bus travel between the university and city in the last few years."

"Sadly, we have had a number of barriers placed in front of us and are being prevented to sell our tickets and products to the student community."

Transdev's other services like the Coastliner buses to Scarborough and Leeds, nor the City Sightseeing tourist routes will also not be at the Freshers Fairs, he added.

Responding, a university spokesman said the contract competition which First won had been fair and open.

He added: “The contract gives them certain privileges but, in return, they have obligations on such things as fare level.

“We did not invite Transdev to Freshers’ Fair just as we did not invite First when Transdev held the University bus contract. Transdev are not allowed to sell student tickets on campus – similarly First were not allowed to sell student tickets on campus when the contract was with Transdev. Transdev were, however, represented at our International Fair this week.

“The university is aware that students may use a range of bus services and we have links to both operators on the Travel and Transport pages on our website. We show both operators’ services from York Station to campus and we sell both company’s staff tickets.”