A BUS boss defiantly defended his company's high-frequency service and declared: "it's here to stay".

Peter Edwards, commercial manager at First in York, said the number six service through Osbaldwick was "well supported" and "popular".

Addressing a highly charged, packed-out special meeting at the Osbaldwick and Murton Village Hall, Mr Edwards dismissed arguments to reduce the number of ten-minute Metro services that use Osbaldwick streets.

Members of the Osbaldwick Village and Murton Way Action Group claim the number of buses rolling through Murton Way stands at 1,200 a week.

They are fighting for a reduction in the number of buses saying they cause a strain on the local environment.

One campaigner, Oliver Starzynski, criticised Mr Edwards' belief that the service was encouraging people out of their cars.

He said: "You are getting residents who normally use the bus anyway. Those residents would be adequately serviced by a half-hour service.

"We appreciate the bus service but it is not a solution to cut congestion in the village. We want a reduction in the off peak-time service."

But many villagers applauded the regular buses. They also warmly welcomed moves to extend the service through to York District Hospital and Clifton Moor.

One said: "Because of the ten-minute service, I have stopped using the car and I go on the bus."

Other residents argued that the high volume of traffic using Tranby Avenue was causing structural problems with their properties.

Mr Edwards said he believed the bus company was taking an unfair proportion of the blame for high traffic levels.

"The ten-minute service has proved to be a successful formula," he said. It is difficult for me to have sympathy with someone who doesn't use the service. I have to put my support in those that do.

"I have been sufficiently encouraged by the support given for the current level of service as against those who support a reduction."

Speaking after the meeting, Mr Edwards said: "What right do people who do not use the service have to make demands on those who do? People who use their cars have the flexibility to get up and go. Why should bus users not have the same right?"

Mr Edwards promised to take up some highway design matters with City of York Council to see if improvements can be made to the current route.

Updated: 15:44 Tuesday, July 30, 2002