PETITIONS calling for bus service changes in two York communities calling have hit the desks of council transport chiefs.

Protesters in the Malton Road area collected nearly 300 signatures as their appeal for York's newest Park&Ride service to include an extra stop stepped up a gear.

In the wake of the protest, officers today recommended the Monk's Cross shuttle should stop once in Malton Road.

In a separate development, 135 villagers in Acaster Malbis are campaigning for a direct bus link to the city centre to be restored.

Bus users in the Malton Road area said it was "widely acknowledged" it had one of the poorest public transport services in the city.

The 272-name petition, presented by ward member and Labour group deputy leader Coun Viv Kind, said the area had no evening or Sunday service and called on the council to introduce more Park&Ride stops in Malton Road.

In a report to Wednesday's planning and transport executive advisory panel, officers say that for Park&Ride to provide an attractive alternative for car users, it must have limited or no stops between destinations.

Operator First York initially provided one stop, at Heworth Green.

However, the council's public transport planner, Terry Walker, recommends another in Malton Road, near its junction with Muncastergate, for services in both directions.

But Mr Walker rejects residents' calls for a further pick- up point between Elmfield Road and Laburnum Garth, and points to timetable improvements to the 13, 16 and 16A serving the area.

Meanwhile, angry Acaster Malbis residents appear to have lost their bid to have a city centre service restored.

The end of Government rural bus funding meant a direct, two-hourly, off-peak link was lost. However, buses C1 and C4 still connect the village to Askham Bar, Tesco, for services to the city.

The changes prompted the Mount Pleasant Residents' Association to launch a petition "deploring" the decision to axe the 21 from the start of last month. Many villagers depend on the service and now have to change twice for the hospital, the petition states.

Mr Walker said that given funding limitations two options were available: continue with the current system or reduce the frequency of the C4 Tuesday/Thursday/ Fri-day, Askham Bar to Acaster Malbis service, but extend the route into the city centre.

The report indicates that five journeys were made on an average day on the 21, suggesting a lack of demand for two services.

Councillors are advised to retain and monitor existing services.

Updated: 08:50 Monday, October 04, 2004