YORK'S biggest bus operator has reversed controversial changes to services, following complaints from passengers and transport chiefs.

First York says it has carried out a review of new services introduced in August, taking into account comments from customers, staff and City of York Council and also examining performance data to improve reliability.

As a result, it was now set to introduce a package of improvements from November 22, including the restoration of a direct Number 6 service from Clifton Moor and York Hospital to Tang Hall and the University of York.

The U-turn comes after Tang Hall passengers complained they had to change buses to get to the hospital, which was difficult when they were ill and infirm.

A First spokesman said the Number 6 will now run from Clifton Moor to Theatre Royal and then continue via Lendal Bridge, Rougier Street to Osbaldwick, Tang Hall and University via the current Number 4 route.

However, the Number 4 bus will only now operate between Acomb and York, with a new timetable to improve reliability but with passengers having to change and catch the Number 6 to get to Osbaldwick and the university.

The Number 1 service from Chapelfields to Wigginton will also have a revised timetable to improve reliability, and there will be new early journeys from Bishopthorpe and Dunnington.

The Number 10 bus from Poppleton to Stamford Bridge will have a revised 'clockface' timetable, meaning buses will leave at the same time past each hour, and the service will also call via Battleflats Way at Stamford Bridge.

Cllr Ian Gillies, transport executive member at City of York Council, who complained previously that the number 10's new timetable was confusing, said yesterday he was 'very pleased' First York had listened to customers and he welcomed the changes.

"Buses play a vital role connecting communities and I’m sure these improvements will be much appreciated by residents," he added.

Will Pearson, business manager for First York, said many of the August changes were very well received but where our customers had said further improvements were needed, it had been happy to make them.

Meanwhile, North Yorkshire County Council says it has brokered deals with a number of bus operators to maintain a larger proportion of subsidised services at a lower cost, following its proposal earlier in the year to reduce bus subsidies by £500,000 following decreases in Government funding.

A spokeswoman said it was continuing discussions with other operators to try to retain existing service levels and was proposing to use its own fleet of buses more and expand community car schemes to retain a passenger transport network enabling people to access essential services and preventing rural isolation.