A BUS company has admitted a string of its services have been cancelled in York, because it does not have enough drivers.

First bus runs more than a dozen services in York, more than any other operator, including the Park&Rides, commercial services, and other routes with council subsidies.

However, the company admitted yesterday that a shortage of drivers has meant it has had to cancel services at short notice, leaving people waiting at bus stops with no explanation of why buses do not appear.

On Sunday several morning services on the 1, 4 and 5 routes were cancelled.

The company’s managing director in York, Marc Bichtemann, said: “At First York we strive to ensure our services run as scheduled, however we have unfortunately had to cancel certain services due to staff absences, but we would like to assure customers that we are working to recruit more drivers to join our loyal workforce.”

The Press has been told the shortages are linked to the withdrawal of parking spaces for drivers at the depot, and frustration that the company did not bid for the new Park&Ride contract, but First would not be drawn.

York Press:

Mr Bichtemann added: “We are unable to comment on the reasons for staff availability, but as with any business, these fluctuations do happen from time to time.

“We can confirm that we will only look to cancel a service if we can’t cover staff absences from our pool of existing employees, or other First Group undertakings.”

He went on to say a recruitment campaign has started and added: “We offer attractive benefits to our staff across the company, including a free bus pass for the driver, and their family, and there are also great development opportunities available within the business.”

First currently run the Park&Ride services under contract from City of York Council. They did not bid for a new contract which is due to start early next year but agreed to carry on the service for an extra 12 months at a significantly reduced fee, paying £216,000 for the 12 months which is £600,000 less than the annual figure paid in the current contract.