SEVERAL years ago First York were named bus operator of the year at a prestigious awards cermony.

Now they have wielded the axe and abruptly discontinued service 23 in its entirety and service 22 is cut to only five daytime buses.

This move is hardly conducive to encouraging bus use and makes a mockery of the new council promotion entitled "Live life in the bus lane".

How are residents of Rawcliffe, Clifton Without and Leeman Road supposed to feel? Jubilant? Or perhaps angry and frustrated? For many, service 22 is now an "unusable" bus service.

Service 14 is a prime example of an unusable service. As a non-car owner, I bought my house many years ago partly because of the appeal of a bus service every 15 minutes from my locality into York, to Clifton Moor and to Rawcliffe where my parents lived.

It soon mutated into service 14 operating only hourly between 9am and 3pm. Can I use it to or from work? No, it doesn't run. Can I use it on an evening when I am not at work? No, it doesn't run. Can I use it on a Sunday? No, it doesn't run.

Why not leave your car at home and take the bus instead, says the new council promotion. More people probably would if services weren't gradually being whittled away. And the big question is: "Whose bus service will be next?"

Dale Edwards, Newborough Street, York.