THE man behind York's controversial Metro bus system has quit the company, the Evening Press can reveal today.

Commercial manager John Fletcher has tendered his resignation to FirstYork and will be leaving shortly.

Mr Fletcher is taking up a post on October 26 at the Pickering Health Practice in a management role.

The newly-introduced Metro system was expected to revolutionise bus travel in the city, but has been badly received by passengers and staff alike.

The Evening Press has been inundated with letters, e-mails and phone-calls from angry drivers and bus users, unhappy at various aspects of the new system.

Mr Fletcher, who started with the company as a driver in 1984, still regards the Metro system as a success.

"There have been a number of tidying-up issues to sort out," he said.

"But I hope to have the plans for these in place before I go. The new system has worked very well and we have received a positive response from many of the staff here.

"I have enjoyed my time here. Bringing in the Metro system was my main task of late and that is something I have achieved.

"I feel we have been treated rather badly by the press."

Boss Brian Asquith said: "John has done a very good job here and we will be sorry to see him go."

Mr Fletcher will be replaced by his assistant, Neil Murphy.

Updated: 11:14 Tuesday, October 16, 2001