ANYONE who regularly attempts to drive through the centre of York will know all too well that traffic remains a problem.

One key to unlocking this difficulty lies in effective public transport. The trouble is, people will only use buses if they are regular, reliable and easy.

We have been saying for a long time now that there has got to be a viable public transport service in the city. Buses offer car drivers an alternative way to get around, while remaining vital to those who do not drive.

Recent and frequent problems with reliability have made buses a poor bet for drivers who want to use their cars less often, and have condemned regular bus users to a service that cannot always be relied on.

Now all this could be about to change. First York is planning to revamp its service via an imaginative route-map similar to the famous London Underground map, which shows at a glance how buses could be running from next May.

As well as displaying routes in a simple and easy manner, the new system offers two levels of service. Eight colour-coded 'metro' routes will run across the city, passing through the centre while serving outlying areas. These buses will run at least every ten minutes, offering a quick way in and out of York. In addition, there will be ten less frequent 'easylink' routes taking a more circuitous route through outlying residential areas.

First York deserves praise for honestly tackling its long-standing problems. Running a bus service in a crowded city is not easy and the simmering resentment of delayed or stranded passengers is never far beneath the surface. For an illustration of the difficulties, First York has already backed down from planned fare rises on some routes - leaving disgruntled passengers in other areas to complain that their fares have risen.

The proposed changes might be just what the city needs - but they are only proposals, and every home in York is being invited to comment. If you have a view, express it.

Staying silent and moaning later won't help anyone.