I MADE my first journey this morning on the new ftr service. It left me positively under-whelmed.

As a professional transport planner, I am aware of the need to reduce modal share of single-occupancy private cars and shift it to public transport, walking and cycling.

Sadly, it will take a great deal more than a few purple bendy-buses to make this happen.

However, despite spending around £1.5 million of public funds to accommodate this private venture, there are obvious pinch points along the route that have not been considered.

The entire length of Heslington Road is impassable for two new buses. Also, the design of the buses gives drivers no option but to travel most of the route in dedicated cycle lanes. I fear that the city centre becomes less attractive for cyclists.

Similarly, I wonder what compensation is due to householders along Heslington Road who will shortly find themselves without parking spaces outside their homes, and who will suffer a drop in house price.

During the course of my journey this morning, my ticket was checked three times.

While on board, a series of technicians alighted and disembarked to repair the on-board telemetry. There may well be teething difficulties on a new service like this, but reasons given for not being able to repair it included: "I haven't got the right screwdriver."

I had been concerned that the frequency of the service had reduced from eight to ten minutes, and so allowed extra time for my journey. However, I was left waiting for more than 15 minutes for the bus to arrive, and a one-mile journey from home to train station took over half an hour, waiting time included. I missed my train.

Paul D Miller,

Heslington Road,

York.

Updated: 09:35 Wednesday, May 10, 2006