NEW "hosts" are likely to be replacing ticket machines on York's ftr buses within the next few months - as the service marks its first year of service.

Yesterday was a year to the day since the ftr bus - hailed a transport system of the future - was first launched on York's streets, the first place in the country to have it.

But the service got off to a rocky start with two vehicles taken off the street within days because of electrical faults, and technical problems with ticket machines.

Within days, The Press readers were inundating our Walmgate offices with complaints, saying the new bus was too big, too ugly, and did not have enough seats or space for wheelchair users.

A year on, bosses of bus operator First York have acknowledged difficulties with the service and are now phasing in "hosts" - the new word for bus conductors - to replace the problematic ticket machines.

Commercial director Peter Edwards told The Press a team of about 20 new-style hosts were likely to be installed on the buses within the next few months.

He said: "We're introducing hosts on to the service to replace ticket machines. The machines will remain on there for the occasions when we don't have a host, but the hosts will gradually become more and more prevalent.

"We've already had them on the service for six weeks or so."

The Press reported last month that despite the storm of controversy which greeted the service, most of its problems were now over.

Mr Edwards said he was now looking forward to the next year of ftr in York.

He said: "We've had some significant successes and, of course, some notable difficulties, but most of the difficulties have been surrounding the ticket machines and the problems that tended to cause.

"These vehicles are set to stay - they're already in Leeds and there are places like Swansea and Glasgow where they're planned to be contracted."

Jonathan Tyler, from York-based Passenger Transport Networks, said in a letter to The Press that an open debate was needed on the merits of ftr.

He said: "As a long-time campaigner for seriously good public transport I welcomed the objectives of the ftr project, but was appalled at the manner in which it was introduced.

"We now need an open debate, based on facts rather than spin, about the role of such vehicles in the development of a genuinely sustainable transport policy.

"It is vital to get more travellers choosing to use buses in this city."


ftr buses - the story so far...

* May 8, 2006: ftr is launched in York - the result of a partnership between City of York Council and bus operator First. Our reporter Gerran Grimshaw has a go on the new bus, only to find the ticketing system is out of order. However, most passengers gave it a positive reaction.

* May 10, 2006: But not for long. Our letters page is inundated with complaints about the service. Two buses have already been taken off because of electrical faults.

* May 10, 2006: Transport secretary Douglas Alexander walks into a storm when he arrives in York to take a look at the new buses - but maintains he is "impressed".

* May 12, 2006: Acomb residents are furious about the new larger ftr bus stops which reduce on-street parking.

* June 9, 2006: One ftr inspector is attacked by a passenger in a row over tickets.

* August, 2006: Blind and disabled people in York criticise ftr, saying it contains more hazards for them than conventional old-style buses.

* October 19, 2006: ftr bosses admit ticket machines are the service's "Achilles' heel", and says it may bring back conductors.

* December 19, 2006: We reveal the cost of ftr to the council has now soared to £1.5 million.

* February 14, 2007: First York boss Peter Edwards says the service has "turned a corner" after a survey showed its passengers were increasingly happy with the service.