FURIOUS passengers have claimed they would no longer travel on First York buses after declaring its flagship Metro service "a shambles".

The Evening Press has been inundated with commuters calling to attack the Ex-hibition Square company's new service and timetable.

First York said Metro, which cost £11.9 million and aims to run buses every ten minutes along the main city corridors, was the result of months of planning.

Just five days after its introduction, many passengers said they have already had enough of delays and service changes.

But First York commercial manager John Fletcher urged people to have patience, blaming traffic gridlock as the cause.

Bryn Evans, 39, of Ashville Street, said: "Twice I have stood waiting for a bus which has been more than 15 minutes late.

"The service is a shambles and I am not going to use the bus at all."

Margaret Rippon, 66, of Badger Hill, added: "Before these changes, I was able to get a bus straight home.

"Now I have to get off at the university and take a 15-minute walk. This is no problem but, for others, it could be. I am very disappointed."

Richard Hewitt, of New Lane, Huntington, added: "Our service into York has gone up 25p. That's a big increase."

But Mr Fletcher said: "We have spent a million pounds preparing for this week and have been scuppered.

"I am not surprised people are upset. The traffic in the city on Tuesday was chaotic.

"When are the authorities going to realise they need to do something about the traffic in York?

"Copmanthorpe is an absolute nightmare and so is Bootham. We are asking people to be patient."

A City of York council spokesman said: "This is a major overhaul of the way the city's bus services are run.

"It will take time for bus users to get used to the new system and for the com-pany to iron out any teething problems.

"The council is committed to tackling congestion to make it easier for buses to get in and out of the city.

"However, it was for the bus company to plan the introduction of the new system on existing road and traffic conditions."

Updated: 09:52 Thursday, September 20, 2001